It’s been quite a weekend for the Kiwi showjumpers in Australia at the Waratah World Cup Show. The young riders were the stars of the Trans-Tasman Test Series winning their clash, with the senior team placing third.
Emma Gillies on Benrose Black Jack, Liam Rutland with Adele, Molly Moffatt on Lazarus GNZ and Sophia Blackbourn headed home the three young rider teams after a jump-off that saw them win by .9 of a second and finishing with a clean slate.
Chef d’equipe Jaime Campbell-Ward was rapt with both teams. “The young rider team were incredible in their first international competition on their own horses. They finished on a perfect score of zero after two rounds,” said Jaime. “We made the decision not to start Emma in the second round to keep her horse fresh for the jump-off, and when it came down to it, with Charlie Magnier, who is can be very quick and clean, riding for Australia Green, Emma had to put everything on the line. She absolutely delivered under pressure.”
The senior team had been “outstanding” and came so close to making the jump-off. “With the youngest average age of any team by a considerable margin – I think someone said on the live stream they mentioned a 10 year average age difference – the riders really shone. Just one rail kept us out of the jump-off, but importantly there were no big mistakes, only small details we can take away, work on, and come back even stronger.”
But there were also a raft of placing across the grades. Sophie Scott and Normandy GHP were the best of the Kiwis in the 25-strong CSI1*-W World Cup qualifier placing third behind winners Samuel Overton aboard Oaks Casanova, with Phillip Lever and Billionaire NZPH second. Sophie was also second in a 1.45m warm-up class aboard Benrose Stellar.
Sophia Blackbourn steered Roxette ECPH to victory in the 1.35m young rider class, with Molly Moffatt and Lazarus GNZ second in the 1.45m Riders’ Cup. Logan Massie and Adele 13 winning the 1.35m futurity class. Josh Collins picked up a win in another 1.35m futurity class aboard Zora. And to top it all off, Molly Moffatt won the Ring 1 Good Stick Award for generally being awesome!
“Throughout the show the Kiwis have more than held their own,” said Jaime. “It been clear to see the riders and horses growing from the experience, particularly in the challenging indoor environment.”
She’s loved catching up with some of New Zealand’s Australia based riders and has also had some “exciting” conversations with the Aussies about building on this momentum. “There’s real opportunity for us to expand trans-Tasman initiatives and create more pathways for our riders on both sides of the ditch. The team is excited for the next leg in Tamworth next weekend.”
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
25th August 2025