Kiwis Set to Fire in Trans-Tasman Opener

It’s about to get rather serious across the ditch with the opening round of the 2025 Trans-Tasman Test Series at the Waratah World Cup Show in Sydney this weekend.

Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) top bills for the Kiwi senior team and heads to the event in fine form having placed first and third in the 1.50m at the Waratah warm-up show last weekend with her mounts Benrose Stellar and Normandy GHP. Also in the team is Logan Massie, Aussie-based Samantha Whale and Oamaru teen Emma Gillies.

The young rider team comprises Sophia Blackbourn (Tamahere), Molly Moffatt (Christchurch), Aussie-based Liam Rutland and the rather busy Emma Gillies.

ESNZ high performance jumping manager NZ and Chef d’equipe Jaime Campbell-Ward says there is plenty of value in the iconic Australia-New Zealand clashes. “It is so valuable for our riders to have more opportunities to compete as a team, especially with the FEI World Championships on the horizon. Events like this help us build that all-important team culture and give everyone a chance to measure themselves against strong Australian competition,” she says. The young riders will garner much from having the seniors alongside them. “It is an incredible introduction to them to the demands of international campaigns and allows them to learn, gain confidence and know they are supported.”

The timing of the tour had been challenging for Jaime and her fellow ESNZ high performance jumping manager (Europe) Tom Tarver who were only recently appointed. “It has meant our New Zealand based riders have had to take on a lot of the preparation work themselves,” says Jaime. “That is no small task when you are preparing to compete out of season. They all did an outstanding job at the first show and I couldn’t be prouder of the way they have stepped up.”

She felt it was an exciting mix of riders in the teams. “Riders like Logan and Sophie already have Australian tour experience while Sam is here. It means the newer riders are surrounded by fantastic support. It is a strong combination and a real credit to the depth we are building.” The series is being run in a two-round format over three shows. “The two-round format is great practice for championships and gets our riders focused on producing clear and consistent results which is exactly what is required at top level.”

She felt it was exciting to see a young rider team making the commitment to bring their own horses across the Tasman. “It is such an important step in preparing them for future international campaigns.”

The Trans-Tasman Test Series runs over three rounds – the opener this weekend at Sydney followed by the second round next weekend at Tamworth and the finale at Willinga in mid-September.

This weekend’s senior round is the last class in the ring one indoor on Thursday evening and carries a prize purse of $5,000 for the seniors, who will compete at 1.45m height. The young riders compete at 1.35m level on Friday event with $1,200 up for grabs. The ring one course designer at Waratah is Anderson de Moura Lima (MEX).
The World Cup qualifier is on Saturday evening with a $20,900 prize purse, including $5,000 for the winner and money paid out to 12th place.

There are also a few Kiwis scattered amongst the show, including Suzanne and Glenn Brooks who are in the four-strong team of course assistants for Anderson and Judy Bowen who is on the assistant steward team.

THE TEAMS
Senior Team

Reserves

Young Rider Team

Reserves

WHAT: Waratah World Cup Show CSI1*-W – including the Trans-Tasman Test Series
WHERE: Sydney, Australia
WHEN: August 21-24, 2025

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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
20^th August 2025