Shattered Kingdoms

Exactly, combat was not initiated. HE did not give a blow, thus he had the opportunity to begin combat with a charge. One can not use cmbat-initiative skill if HE has not given a blow. IE: even you may be behind your pet with a non-reach weapon and are given a blow (IE: magic missile). You can leave the room and come back and cleave. It's the way it works.

It looks like he got a round off though, to me. Isn't that combat? I have no clue about what the hammer can do as far as their skillset/abilities go.. but to me it looks like a round got off, but Thispar didn't get a round off either.

Combat was not initiated, which is a feature of the "skill." He also wouldn't have been able to mount the steed if he were in combat.