Sophie Scott rides Benrose Stellar. Photo by KAMPIC
HARRISON LANE PREMIER LEAGUE
Winners: Sophie Scott and Benrose Stellar
It’s been a cracker season for Sophie and her team of horses, but particularly with Benrose Stellar who picked up the Harrison Lane Premier League Series, the ESNZ Leading Mare crown and the inaugural EquiBreed ART Leading New Zealand Embryo Series https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/…/06/series-embryo-series/.
“I am just thrilled with how the whole season went,” says the 23-year-old from Palmerston North, “and Stellar in particular.”
Her other two mounts Normandy GHP and Waitangi Skynet also starred throughout.
In the Series, Sophie and 12-year-old Stellar won three of their eight starts, finishing just two points ahead of Julie Davey aboard LT Holst Freda with Sophie in third place with 16-year-old Skynet. Nine-year-old Norm was fifth.
It was again a battle between Julie and Sophie for top honours in the ESNZ Leading Mare category, but in the end Sophie come out 11 points ahead of Julie.
“Stellar has been so consistent all season and we’ve had some exciting wins. I think the standouts are the ones at HOY (Defender Horse of the year Show) like winning the Norwood Gold Cup – that was amazing.”
Stellar and Sophie also won two FEI World Cup Qualifiers back to back. “That was unreal too and both were double clear. Winning the series would have been the cherry on top but having two horses jumping so competitively at that level meant it was really hard to choose which one to nominate each time.”
Sophie also won the Premier League Series in 2024, taking the top spot on Sky.
Her success with Stellar is all the more remarkable given they’ve only been together two seasons. “We just got along straight away and have built up an amazing partnership. We trust each other completely and she is such a fighter who tries her heart out and wants to win.”
Stellar is “the sweetest” mare ever – “even if it doesn’t look like that in the ring!”.
For Sophie though, it’s all about the teamwork that goes on behind the scenes. Her rock solid crew include trainer Jeff McVean and parents Tania and Mark Scott. “It really does make the dream work,” she says. “We all run like clockwork. I feel so lucky to have everyone on the journey with us and to get the results makes it all worthwhile. Everyone deserves that success and it is nice to be able to celebrate it together.”
She doesn’t have a full time groom but has help at shows from Charlotte Miles and a few others. “We are a great team,” she says.
Over the coming months Team Scott will lock and load a plan for the future that includes offshore missions. It means starting with the FEI World Championships Aachen and working backwards from there.
Sophie also has some exciting youngsters in the paddock at home including five-year-old LT Holst Casey Mack and a four-year-old who is out of her partner Blake Davis’ Grand Prix mare Giggles.
“I’m in for a busy winter to make some money for our next big adventure!”
Harrison Lane have been sponsoring showjumping since 2019 and moved from the Pro-Am Series to the Premier League just this season.
“Since our inception in 2012, Harrison Lane has invested in New Zealand equestrian events and clubs with a genuine passion to support the sport and industry that we share with many of our clients,” says company director Laura Daly.
And they are proud to have supported everything from grass roots ribbon days and pony club events, through to Grand Prix dressage, show hunter, eventing and national showjumping series.
They’ve been following Premier League winner Sophie Scott with admiration over the last few years. “It was fantastic to see her take out the series and so well deserved,” says Laura.
“Hearing from the riders is always appreciated and makes it worthwhile.”
There’s always plenty going on at Harrison Lane and they’re currently working on new projects for three returning clients. “It’s enjoyable to work with them again as new ideas for their properties develop.”
They’ve just finished a stable block for a boutique breeding operation and are working on projects including lovely multi-use barns through to an extensive architectural conversion of a country home.
Harrison Lane were awarded gold at the Master Builders House of the Year competition for a luxury country home completed in 2024 and acknowledged in the top three for craftsmanship.
Results –
Harrison Lane Premier League: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 131 points 1, Julie Davey (Hastings) LT Holst Freda 129 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 110 3, Luke Dee (Havelock North) Gangster WW 73 4.
ESNZ LEADING MARE
ESNZ Leading Mare Series: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 186 points 1, Julie Davey (Hastings) LT Holst Freda 175 2, Tristan Thomas (Rotorua) Matai Zarite 62 3, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Takapoto Tinka 44 4.
Diana Dobson