National Championships 2025 Tetrathlon

Two Essex and Suffolk tetrathletes, Grace and Tati, made their way to the 2025 Pony Club JCB Tetrathlon Championships last week. Tati had been selected to form part of one of the two East of England Stepping Stones teams (Minimus Class) (Area 6 & 8 ) and Grace formed part of the Area 8 Junior Girls team. They arrived on Thursday evening just in time to bed the ponies down and make it in time for the pre event shoot practise. Friday is always very busy shuttling from phase to phase. Both girls shot very well in a nerve-wracking atmosphere – Tati shot 860 and Grace, 880 which left them both mid way in their classes. The swim is carried out in a busy and hot leisure centre in Leamington Spa. Tati swam a PB of 5l 5m and Grace swam another huge PB of 8l 15m.

A swift journey back to Offchurch Bury to catch xc course walks with Katie Barrett (N&T) before Tati’s run at the end of the day which was hot and fast! The Stepping Stones arena eventing course has got progressively more difficult each year and this year, included an offset double and dog leg as well as some solid xc fences following an upright SJ fence. The time is tight and Tati produced a good round inside the time with sadly, just one pole down. This is her pony, Roo’s third year in a row doing the Stepping Stones competition!!

Grace’s xc was big, technical and undulating. Fences included very offset doubles, a big drop to a skinny and a step up to an solid roll top at the top of a very steep hill. As with last year, the water involved 3 fences. Grace’s pony was sadly feeling the heat and she bravely nursed him round taking all the straight routes with one stop and time penalties. Both ponies finished the day safe and sound.

Saturday night sees the infamous Tet Party for which this year, the dress was anything beginning with a P or a C. Circus was the popular Area 8 theme, the costumes were brilliant and a great time was had by all. The final phase, Grace’s run was at 10am on Sunday – post party bleary eyes are faced with a stiff and undulating run! Grace ran a very good 6m20 in a fast heat.

Overall placings – Tati finished 20th overall and the East of England Foxes team finished 7th. Grace finished 23rd and her Area 8 Junior Girls team finished 8th. The competition this year seemed fierce with some incredible scores at the top. A brilliant effort all round in a competition that requires hard work, dedication and regular training in all four disciplines.

A huge thank you to Mary for supporting the girls in every phase in sweltering heat and a big well done to the E&S Polocrosse team who did brilliantly.

Many thanks to Lucy Hotham for the lovely write up!