Combined Challenge 29^th June 2025 – Moreton

So today was slightly different for me as I usually go as ground crew but today Magnus and I were doing out first Combined Challenge team competition and our first time competing at Moreton so I won’t lie I was a bit apprehensive.

Due to the lack of rain the decision had been made to move the competition into the arenas due to the hard ground so a bit disappointing not to have be able to go round the XC course but totally the right decision.

We travelled down with Tiff and Hattie and arrived in plenty of time to watch the end of the 60cm class, meet up with my teammates Sara, Philippa and Jo and walk the course.

SJ was a course of 9 jumps very inviting but quite spread out and no where really to make any short cuts but I just needed to make it a positive round for Magnus as he can get a bit stressed and worried and throw in some naughty stops.  But I needn’t of worried he jump a lovely round with just a small time fault and then we walked to the next arena to start the XC.  XC was a shortened course over 9 jumps but this time lots to look at a triple and brush fence and lots of flowers decorating the fences.  The first fence was a jump into the arena and had lots of bushes and potted trees around it so a bit of verbal encouragement was needed more for my benefit I think as Magnus had a good look but jump it no problem and jumped the rest of the cause brilliantly just unfortunately knocking the last to have 5 faults.  I was so so proud of him.  We finished 4^th Individually.

Sara and Tango jumped a brilliant SJ and XC round to finish on 10 faults.

Philippa and Dougal jumped a lovely SJ but unfortunately had some stops in XC.

Jo and Toby also jumped clear SJ but unfortunately had some stops in XC. Jo was also in the 80 team so hopefully Toby now having seen the jumps would fine in the next round.

Next up the 80 team .  Diane and Sky, Ony and Freddie, Tiff and Hattie and Jo with Toby .

Diane and Sky jumped a brilliant SJ and XC round but just unfortunate to have the last down  (commentators curse!) in the XC to finish 6^th overall.

Tiff and Hattie again a brilliant SJ and XC round went clear to finish 2^nd overall. The only Meon clear of the day.

Jo and Toby clear SJ but Toby said absolutely NO to the XC phase and Jo made a very elegant dismount unfortunately just not their day today.

Ony and Freddie jumped a lovely SJ with Ony having only one stirrup for most of the round!  XC had a stop at the first fence but jumped it the second time to continue to do a lovely round.

What a great day!  70 Team finished 3^rd and the 80 Team 2^nd

Thank you to each and every team member today who helped one another supported, encouraged, watched, videoed every round. What an amazing club we are!