Otago Southland Eventing Champs Team

Apologies...delayed finale day update. Between a 7am trot-up 😳, showjumping, pouring rain, hot sunshine, cancelled and delayed travel and prize giving...it's been another hectic one 🤩.

We realise many of you are ahead of us with the team results but there's more so here's a recap of day 3 that ended incredibly well for our wee team, largely from the deep south.

After a 5am start to meet the trot-up time (unbeknownst to us turnout was being judged 🤨), we were onto showjumping with 5 clear rounds over which time the heavens absolutely opened up with a 2 hour deluge of rain, making jumping conditions challenging. It didn't stop our crew though!

The rain eventually cleared but unfortunately the mounted prize giving had been cancelled by then so we all retreated to the indoors. The team was literally arriving to prize before realising they were in the top team placings...and as it turned out, recipients of additional placings too.

Final results:
*5th overall team
*4th A1/110 Individual - Caitlin & Dixie
*🥇1st A1/110 Secondary School rider - Caitlin
*🥇1st MT/95 Trot-up Turnout award - Brodie & Rocky
*🥇1st Team quizz

Acknowledgement also goes to Kate and Rosie (BOP) who both finished on their dressage scores.

A big thank you goes to MT/95 riders Rosie Morgan (BOP) and Savannah Allen (WaiWell) for joining us as teammates! It was great to have you on board to make up the OS/BOP/WW team. 👏

Post prize giving it was a very quick scramble to get the majority of the crew to the airport for flights home (some of which were then cancelled 🙄)....ferries are now cancelled too until late Thursday at the earliest 🤦‍♀️. We thought we may not make it up, now we can't get back 🫣😄.

The ground crew of 4 (Katrina, Anna, Jaye and Joe) are unbelievably proud of our riders. Through the challenges of us making it to Champs and all the variables from weather to fuel to injury, they have demonstrated amazing resilience. All three have been a pleasure to travel with, have totally 'gelled' together, welcomed others to their team, had a lot of fun, kept smiling when things weren't perfect and generally been great ambassadors for our Otago Southland regions.

The team would like to acknowledge all the incredible support and lovely messages we have received over our time at Champs! We definitely felt we had our Southern crew and beyond behind us! The team also thanks those who travelled specifically to the event to support the OS team. It really was valued! And of course...a massive thank you goes out to our friends and families who supported the girls 'got your back' fundraiser hoodies...so very much appreciated!

One thing we ask...PLEASE ask the sunshine to return...before we do! We will keep you posted on our travels south...

Show Jumping update....5 clear rounds for our team! 💥
(Team includes Rosie from BOP & Savannah WWairarapa)

When you're more than just a skit 'driver'....you're a 'holder' too 👍👏.

Joe (Brodie's Daddyo) has had bases covered as truck driver, horse holder, stud inserter, dishes washer, poo collecter, lawn mower, lunch maker, black water dumper 🤮...thanks Joe for taking one for the team on more than one occasion during the trip north...top job!

X-Country update...

After a 6.45 departure ready for a 7.15am fence judges briefing, it was a great day for our riders with all three coming home live without any major incidents.

Kate and Taz, bold as life, put in a great round - clear and under time.

Brodie and Rocky the rocket...another great round under time but with a hesitation at the sunken road to give them 20 faults.

Caitlin and Dixie, the little horse with the biggest heart, put in a huge effort to go jump clear in over a big chunky 110/2* course, finishing on just a few time faults.

The OS ground crew are super proud of our rider's efforts in a big atmosphere! In conjunction with Champs, there was a full Horse Trial 65-3* running.

Harper (Nutting) arrived to style the cone costume, whilst Rocky finished off his day giving out pony love before it was time to head for a beautiful event dinner complete with games and a quizz to top off a great day! 👏

A busy day today...so apologies for the lack of posts.

After a successful skit last night (well done girls...& driver!), it was an early start for the dressage, which went well. The on-ground support crew were super proud of all three riders doing such a great job of their dressage tests today against tough competition. Check out the 3 smiling dressage relief photos 😄. We are also rapt to welcome Savannah Allen (Wairapa Wellington) and Rosie Morgan (Bay of Plenty) to our team.

Post dressage, it was team photos before heading back to Steph Irvine's, our lovely billet, house to pop ponies back in their paddocks before returning for a 2nd xcountry walk...an amazing course full of variety! The rider's are confident and ready to tackle their tracks tomorrow. 👏👏

Stay tuned for xcountry day...in the meantime, here's some pics from today.

brodie and rocky all ready to go! 🧡🖤

Finishing touches for Rocky before Brodie and him being next up in the arena.