Sofia Williams rides Buzzie Bees Max. Photo by Libby Law
AMS SADDLERY PONY GRAND PRIX SERIES
Winners: Sofia Williams (Masterton) and Buzzie Bees Max
Sofia Williams figures winning the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series is pretty special but it’s made all the more so when you do it alongside one of your good mates.
Sofia with her ponies Buzzie Bees Max and Sitaski were first and third in the series with Emily Oliver aboard Barbie Doll RSNZ and Doctor Jones second and fourth.
“There were lots of Grand Prix when Emily and I would be first and second,” says the 16-year-old Year 12 student from Masterton. “Coming into the final I was second by a single point and while I finished second the drop off scores meant I won the series. It is so cool for Emily and me to be competing alongside each other like this.”
Sofia has had 12-year-old Buzzie Bees Max for two-and-a-half years. They won their first Pony Grand Prix start together at the beginning of last season and never looked back, finishing third in the series that year.
“I just wanted to go one better this season,” says Sofia who admits to feeling quite a bit of pressure in the Grand Prix. “I just try not to think about it and remind myself it is just for fun, that I have an awesome pony and need to concentrate on getting him in the right spots . . . just one jump at a time.”
And Max is plenty of fun to ride. “He can be a wee bit naughty,” she says. “He loves to throw in pig roots in the victory laps but he is so much fun and he’s got plenty of personality!”
She was pleased to have Sitaski place third in the series. “They have both had their ups and downs. At one point Sitaski was leading with Max second. “I am really stoked.”
It’s Sofia’s last season on ponies but she says she has some nice youngsters coming through. “The neat thing about the Pony Grand Prix ring is that you are up against all your really good mates . . . I will miss that next season.”
She extended a big thank you to series sponsors AMS Saddlery for their ongoing support of the sport.
AMS Saddlery’s Sarah Forman figures sponsoring the series is a good opportunity to give back to the sport she loves so much while getting the brand out. “When I became riders rep on the ESNZ Jumping board they were looking for new sponsors so I asked if I could sponsor a series.”
She loves that the series stars the riders of the future. “It gives our most talented pony riders experience in a competitive series that hopefully will give them good ring time to continue on through their riding careers,” says Sarah. “As a sponsor we do notice if the riders on the circuit shop with us and really appreciate the support.”
It’s all go at AMS Saddlery, who are in their second year sponsoring the series, at the moment with 15% off winter rugs alongside a great clothing clearance sale.
“We carry everything you need for horse and rider online and in our North Island store too.”
Results – Sofia Williams (Masterton) Buzzie Bees Max 145 1, Emily Oliver (Wellington) Barbie Doll RSNZ 135 2, Sofia Williams (Masterton) Sitarski 130 3, Emily Oliver (Wellington) Doctor Jones 126 4.
Diana Dobson
May 2025