The new academic year began with a remarkable achievement for Hurst Equestrian student Emma G, who claimed victory at the prestigious NSEA 3 Day Event 80cm Championship held at Moreton Equestrian Centre in Dorset.
The competition kicked off on Friday with the dressage phase, where Emma and her horse, Sambourne Puzzle, delivered a poised and elegant performance, earning an impressive score of 33.5. This placed them in second position heading into the weekend.
Saturday brought the endurance and excitement of the traditional Three-Day Event format, including Roads and Tracks, Steeplechase, and Cross Country phases. Emma and Sambourne Puzzle navigated the 1km Phase A and 2.2km Phase C Roads and Tracks courses with precision, and tackled the 1.1km Steeplechase at speed—all without incurring a single fault. After passing the veterinary check in the holding box, they completed the Cross-Country course clear and well within the time limit, ending the day in the lead and still on their original score.
Sunday’s final phase began with a trot-up in front of the Ground Jury, where Sambourne Puzzle was declared fit to continue. Emma, dressed smartly for the occasion, then entered the showjumping arena as the final competitor. Despite a challenging course and one pole down, her final score of 37.5 was enough to secure the championship title.
This outstanding performance is a testament to Emma’s skill, dedication, and partnership with Sambourne Puzzle. Huge congratulations to Emma for starting the year with such a fantastic success!
