Aimee Collinson and Be Mine NZPH winners of the FEI World Jumping Challenge, Competition Two, at Bridgeman Brookby Show Jumping. Photo by Cornege Media
Aimee Collinson knew she had to lay a tough challenge for those following her in the FEI World Jumping Challenge at The Bridgeman Show at Brookby . . . and do it she did with her quirky grey mare Be Mine NZPH.
While there were 12 double clears in the class, the Clevedon duo came home 2.5 seconds ahead of runners up Isabelle Hawkins (Auckland) aboard Haupouri Da Vinci NZPH, with Matisse Masterson (Ardmore) and Jay-Z GNZ in third.
The class – sponsored by Dynavyte and Kauri Farms – attracted 24 quality entries. The opening round produced 16 clear rounds, giving an indication that anyone serious about winning had to be clean and fast – and that’s never been a problem for 20-year-old Aimee and Be Mine NZPH, who is owned by Duncan McFarlane and Helen McNaught.
Aimee and Shirley, as she’s known to her mates, were early to go in the second round. “There were so many clears I wasn’t sure what to do, but once we were over the first – we often have the first down – I just said, ‘let’s go’.”
Shirley needed no encouragement. “She was feeling locked in on the job and really ready to go. She may be quirky but I do love her. With her I can just land and go, and she will spin into things so well.”
They went inside early on where that turn of hoof proved the difference. “Others did it, but they had to wait – I just let her go. She really is a very special horse.”
It is their second season together and Aimee says the grey has done wonders for her riding. “She has given me a lot of confidence and the feeling I can actually go out and try to win. She has helped me a lot. I feel incredibly lucky to have her.”
The two plan to ride in the final at Auckland in December.
“Duncan has won a few FEI classes on her and they think she knows she has to work hard in these classes. They think these are her favourite classes!”
Aimee and Shirley have done a few young riders, but plan to pull back a little on those. “We’ll still do some, but I have stopped chasing the series. I think it can get inside your head a bit. I do want to win some of those bigger ones.”
She’s got her eye on the Waitemata World Cup Festival and Takapoto Silver Tour.
Meanwhile she’s soaking in one of her most significant wins. “It’s special because of how hard we had to go to win, how on form she was and just how good the ride felt. This was definitely our strongest win.”
And while the winner of the New Zealand challenge may get the opportunity to travel to the world final, that’s a dream too far right now for Aimee.
“Imagine that! I think it is a bit far-fetched to think about that right now though. I will just be riding the next one like any other class,” she says.
Caitlyn Wilkin and Weiti Pogo, awarded Best Presented. Photo by Cornege Media
The Best Presented prize at the horse inspection was awarded to Caitlyn Wilkin and Weiti Pogo.
The FEI World Jumping 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.
For full results 👇
https://www.evoevents.co.nz/resultClass/2135887813/-1/1
Diana Dobson
22 November 2025