Sofia Williams and Grassendale Enzo winners of the World Jumping Challenge at Poverty Bay A&P Show. Photo by Rachel Stringfellow Photography

 

Sofia Williams and Cara Quinn have claimed the first two FEI World Jumping Challenge points at the weekend.

Masterton teen Sofia and Grassendale Enzo headed home a 10-strong field at the Poverty Bay A&P Show in Gisborne while Cara and Delphine NZPH were victorious in the 12-strong field at the Hawkeswood Mining Otago Jumping Spring Show in Taieri.

Sofia and Enzo notched the only double clear of the class. There were just two combinations to go clear in the opening round – Sofia aboard Enzo and Adison Hall (Waimauku) on Waitangi Connection. Clears were a little freer flowing in the second but with accumulative scores, the day belonged to Sofia, with Adison second on four faults and Tyla Hacket (Waiuku) aboard Global PH Cocofino third, also on four faults but with a slower time.

Sofia was rapt. “I am really stoked,” she said. “He injured himself on January 3 (2025) and was out for seven months. I really missed him. He came back in August and has been just so good. Dad kept saying he would come back stronger.”

Enzo joined the family as a two-year-old off the track and was produced by Sofia’s mum Luce. She and Sofia shared the ride for a while with Sofia taking over last season.

“He’s such a funny horse in every aspect,” she said. “I am always laughing with him. He is super-duper cuddly lover boy and is very enthusiastic in all he does.”

It was Sofia’s first time to the Gisborne Show and she’s not regretting it. “Everyone raves about Gisborne so we just had to come,” she said. “So many say it is their favourite – I see why.”

The BetaVet best presented at the horse inspection was Jordyn Appleton (Kumeu) and Sabine MS, with Pipi Cornish (Auckland) and Cavalli Vista Coachello runners-up.

Way down south four combinations were clear in the opening round – Cara (Queenstown) aboard Delphine NZPH, Sonya Benison (Springston) on MF Lexicon, Katie Meredith (Ohoka) on ES Quincy, and Jessica Hore (Millers Flat) aboard Beaumont Cassanova. Everyone added faults in the second round, but it was Cara who came out on top with her single time penalty. Sonya was second on four faults with Kristina Golubeva (Ashburton) aboard Balmoral Guccimundo in third on eight.

Eighteen-year-old Cara bought Delphine in January. “We had four shows together at the end of last season and then I was away for three months over the winter. This is our first show back and she has jumped so well for me all weekend.”

They also won the Young Rider class at the show.

Delphine previously belonged to Olympic Cup winner Briar Burnett-Grand but more recently was with Izzy Jameson. “Izzy did a fabulous job with her. When she said she was thinking of selling Mum and I just jumped on it.”

She felt the FEI challenge was a nice first class to ease back into things. “I did it for the experience really and enjoyed the formality of it. It was a good experience overall.”

They thrived in the tight arena which Cara says encouraged you to keep “rolling around corners”.

“There was no time to fluff around and I liked that. It was technical but rode nicely. I like how this win sets my season up. It is good motivation to keep chasing.”

Cara says Delphine is a real character to have around – hot in the ring but calm on the ground and lovely to handle. They have a very sweet ritual they do when Cara takes Delphine’s head collar off to put the bridle on. “She forces her head into me and closes her eyes for a cuddle. It is so special.”

The two are trained by Lisa Coupe but have also worked with Hamish Disbrowe who she credits with getting them into ring one.

The best presented award at the horse inspection went to Jess Hore and Beaumont Cassanova.

The FEI Jumping World Challenge was created in 2001 and run first in Germany before moving to South America, Africa, the Balkans and Central Asia. The concept is based around opening an international competition to those who generally would not have the opportunity to do so.  They are considered a bridge between national and first international competition and held across the disciplines. It is open to athletes from the beginning of calendar year they reach their 14th birthday.

Just 20 riders – the two best placed from the 10 regional zones – will compete at the final which is held aboard borrowed horses.

New Zealand is running three competitions in the North Island and two in the south. The next competition will be at Brookby Showjumping on November 21-23, followed by the final rounds in each island being Canterbury 5-7 December, and Auckland 19-21 December. 

 

Results –

 

Poverty Bay A&P Show – https://main-events.com/event/12165/poverty-bay-ap-show-2025-gisborne-royal-ap-sh/classlist/120211/311-fei-world-jumping-challenge-art-273-3-3-2

 

 

Hawkeswood Mining Otago Jumping Spring Show 2025 – https://www.evoevents.co.nz/resultClass.aspx?RecordId=2135887699&RecordId2=1&RecordId3=1

 

Diana Dobson 

October 19 2025