Sophia Blackbourn rides Roxette ECPH. Photo by Libby Law
FMG YOUNG RIDER SERIES
Winner: Sophia Blackbourn
A winning streak in the FMG Young Rider Series laid the perfect foundation for Sophia Blackbourn and her horses.
The Tamahere 20-year-old has never won a showjumping series before so was ecstatic to take it out this season. She was on track last season until she broke her back, so the series was her big goal for 2024-2025.
“I am very, very happy about this,” she said.
Both LT Holst Zalato Blue and Roxette ECPH contributed to the victory. Blue had a stellar winning streak until going out with a frustrating injury and forcing Sophia to bring her Grand Prix horse Roxette into the mix.
Sophia, who is trained by Aussie-based Daniel Blundell, was two points behind eventual runner-up Emma Gillies (Oamaru) coming into the final. “I was nervous,” she said. “I just had to finish ahead of her in the final and ended up second after a four-fault jump-off. It is nerve racking when the whole season result comes down to single round.”
Her partner Mike Sclanders, with whom she runs Real Deal Media, was filming the final as part of a mini documentary the couple are entering into a competition. “So I was relieved to have won!”
Sophia was also one of the riders featured in the Young Rider television show for the second time. “It was fun to do, and a real experience. I feel I have now got used to having a camera pointed at me – it was a little weird to start with but I don’t even think about it at all now.”
Sophia’s season highlight was her winning streak with Mr Blue at the beginning of the season. “Mr Blue has been so consistent over the years. He has really matured with age.”
For Sophia, the series win is a mark of consistence. “It shows consistency across the whole season, not just a one off class. It has been very hard work to keep the horses in top form all season so this feels very rewarding for my whole family,” she says. “I drag them everywhere every weekend and am so grateful for their support.”
She’d love to take her team to Australia over the winter or early next season and is just waiting for final show schedules to finalise her plan.
FMG have proudly sponsored the Young Rider Series since 2016. Equestrian is close to the heart of the team, that includes six “very passionate” horse owners who actively compete. “It means we really understand the needs of our clients,” says client servicing team leader Kathryn Sikanen. “Our involvement with the series is driven by this shared love of horses and a commitment to supporting our rural communities.”
Kathryn says they all love that as part of their jobs they get to “speak horse” all day.
“We’re also excited to speak with our clients about how else we can support them. We know many of our clients are living the lifestyle dream and we’re happy to talk about cover for those risks specific to life on the land. There are real benefits to having all your lifestyle cover with one insurer, and that includes cover for your horse, your house, and everything else.”
Results – Sophia Blackbourn (Tamahere) 150 1, Emma Gillies (Oamaru) 141 2, Tara Gower (Cambridge) 105 3, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) 99 4.
Diana Dobson
May 2025