A sandstorm couldn’t stop show jumpers from participating in the last training show of the season. BREEF hosted the Horse Pride Equestrian Show jumping event with the generous sponsor offering more than BD2,500 worth of cash and prizes.
Several prized saddles were up for grabs and were sought after by the competitors. The first class on Friday was a clear round class.
With heights of 60-70cm it was a chance for newcomers and ‘green’ horses to give it a try at the beautiful BDF Equestrian Centre where all of the national shows are held.
Eight lucky people were able to master the course and come out clear. Imogen Nell on Onyx had the fastest time and second came Mahmood Fateel on Sifa. Third place was taken by Haitham Salah on Lucky 2.
The second two-phase class was for the juniors. Fences were raised to .85-.95cm and the course consisted of 13 jumps.
Mohammed Radhi was triumphant on his new horse Contender with a time of 30.25. Nedal Nabi on Wabitiy came second with a time of 49.12. Mustafa Dadulla on Rainsong had the fastest time but unfortunately had four faults in the first round which landed him in third spot with a time of 27.76.
The adults were up next on the same course and 20 competitors stepped up to the challenge.
Experienced Salman Faraj showed off his Grand Prix style and spirit by capturing first place on his magnificent mare, My Precious, with a time of 31.59. Yours truly slid into second place with my champion Dilmun Airforce One with a time of 33.52 and Maha stables rider Ali Abdul Rasool on his horse Wabiti landed in third place with a time of 33.65.
The last class of the evening proved to be the biggest attraction. The fences were raised to 1.05-1.20cm and a one round challenge with jump-off.
All riders who went clear in the first round were asked to go again over six or seven fences decided by the judge.
Of the 21 riders who decided to give it a try only seven made it clear.
With the sand whipping about to make it even more difficult, the super seven showed fierce determination to ride for glory.
Fearless Faraj once again took home the top spot on the majestic My Precious. With the only double clear round and the fasted time of 43.09, he proved he was in it to win it.
Junior rider, Ahmed Essa on Dilmun Loopy, had a lovely clear round in the first round and picked up only four faults in the second round to put him in second place with a time of 57.13. In a respected third place was Shaikh Abdulla Al Khalifa on his beautiful mare, Venus, with a time of 43.22 but an unfortunate 8 faults.
It was a great way to end the season. Despite the wind and sand, the heavens took mercy on us with a cooler temperature.
Results:
Clear round 65-75cm
1. Imogen Nell/Onyx
2. Mahmood Fateel/Sifa
3. Haitham Salah/Lucky 12
4. Mohammed Ghazwan/Magnum
5. Megan Black/Dolce Pisolo
6. Alaa Hammad/Amigo
7. Jane Bowden Clark/Golden Rule
8. Qassim Abbas/Sadona
9. Kristin Hardman/Loopy
Junior Class .85-.95cm
1. Mohammed Radhi/Contender/30.25/phase 2
2. Nedal A. Nabi/Wabitiy/49.12/phase 2
3. Mustafa Dadulla/Rainsong/27.76/phase 1
4. Imogen Nell/Onyx/27.94/phase 1
5. Aimee Keen/Rio/31.97/phase 1
6. Jassim Mohammed/Cantacino/33.03/phase 1
Adult Class. 85-.95cm
1. Salman Faraj/My Precious/31.59
2. Jerri Taylor/Dilmun Airforce One/33.52
3. Ali Abdul Rasool/Wabiti/33.65
4. Shk. Abdulla Al Khalifa/Venus/34.23
5. Jerri Taylor/Dilmun Cortez/36.46
6. Dawood Salman/Kalalambo/38.99
Class 3 1.05-1.20cm
1. Salman Faraj/My Precious/43.09
2. Ahmed Essa/Dilmun Loopy/57.13
3. Shk. Abdulla Al Khalifa/Venus/43.22
4. Abbas Yousif/Indorado/43.36
5. Mohammed Jassim/Uup/52.30
6. Ali Essa/UFO/46.17
Upcoming Event
The police will be hosting a show jumping event in Budaiya this afternoon starting at 3.30pm. This is a closed event to selected show jumpers only. It is free to all spectators.