Watch: Top Pros Take on the Koala Challenge

I am not flexible, but many pro riders out there are both more flexible and creative than we assume.  We bring to you the Koala Challenge.  More gravity-defying than jumping a gigantic course of Grand Prix fences and more flexibility-challenging than trying to stay with your horse when you both get to an “oh crap” long spot, the #koalachallenge brings us all together in triumphs and massive #fails.

Be one with the koala.  Photo by Sayahir Hakin/Pixabay/CC.

The goal of the Koala Challenge is to climb over your partner while not touching the ground.  Ground not allowed.  Koalas are always in the trees, so you must truly adopt the  mindset of this fluffy marsupial.

Let’s begin!

We open the challenge with Andrew Welles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-0pxy8plZW/

Malin Baryard completed the challenge and proceeded to nominate many fellow koalas to join in.

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@janikasprunger and @henrikvoneckermann_ Challenge accepted, with a twist! #quarantineboredom #missionimpossible #partnerincrime #equestrianninjas Adding a few for the challenge: @pederfredricson @lisenbrattfredricson @rodrigopessoa29 @alexawp @lauren_hough #markphillips @laurakraut #nickskelton @edwinatopsalexander #jantops @ahlmannchristian @judyann.melchior @anderssonnella @stephexstables @stall.bengtsson #evibengtsson @meredith_mb #marcusbeerbaum @cathrinedufour @rasminelaudrup @williamwhitaker89 @elisabeth_whitaker @nicolaphilippaerts @clarahallund @patrikkittel @lyndaloatley @marcusehning #nadjaehning @steveguerdat @fannyskalli #marcandjulia @stal_houtzagerkayser @pippa.funnell #williamfunnell @jenniferkgates @nayelnassar @hanspeterminderhoud #edwardgal @charlottehaidbondergaard @rasmushaidbondergaard @jeroendubbeldam #annlies

A post shared by Malin (@malinbaryard) on Apr 9, 2020 at 12:28pm PDT

Lauren Hough’s koala spirit is strong.

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Thank you for all the kind birthday wishes today! To celebrate, CMP and I took on the #partnerincrime challenge (thank you @malinbaryard for the nomination). A great way to celebrate 43! Now it’s your turn: @duttoneventing & @eviedutton5 , @boydandsilvamartin, @pedrophillips15 & @densilkelly, @zp176 & @lord121212, @laurakraut & #nickskelton, @mccreachris & @jonmccrea72, @lea_popely & @jackwillspopely, @fox__chris & @dawn__fox, @mralfieboe & @sarahboesy, @molly.ashe, @apmccoy & @chanellemccoy, @jillhforbes, @maryelizabethkent & @nairnekevin

A post shared by Lauren Hough (@lauren_hough) on Apr 11, 2020 at 6:58am PDT

Penelope Leprevost has clearly practiced.

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#challengedaccepted @marcdilasser À vous de jouer @rogeryvesbost et Cyrille bost / @philipperozierofficiel et @laura.rozier_ / @ecurieolivierguillon et @salome__guillon

A post shared by PENELOPE LEPREVOST (@penelope_leprevost_officiel) on Apr 14, 2020 at 11:20am PDT

Jennifer Gates may be part koala at heart.

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Koala Challenge 🐨 💗 Thanks for the noms and keeping us entertained in these uncertain times @paigebellissimo @alexandracrown You’re uppp next @carina_seah & @seanwmyers, @ariel1285 & @dr.redperformance, @harriesmolders & @ingedickens, @nicoldominiuk & @ramsayandrew, @categuyman & @isaac_kasevich, @sayusaayu & Nate! #koalachallenge

A post shared by Jennifer Gates (@jenniferkgates) on Apr 14, 2020 at 4:27pm PDT

Have you tried the Koala Challenge?  Grab a friend, attempt, and nominate – let’s keep our koala game going strong.

Go Koala-ing!