The South Island Championships were held at the Marlborough Show Jumping Spring Show, and they were blessed with sunshine as riders from all over the country flocked to compete over fantastic courses built by newly FEI appointed course designer, Edward Bullock and get their hands on those precious titles, with a touch of North vs South Island rivalry on the side.
Molly Moffatt and Lazarus GNZ are the South Island Premier League Champions. photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
With a total of four jumping penalties over the two rounds, Molly Moffatt rode Lazarus GNZ away with the Marlborough Showjumping Premier League South Island Champion title. Katie Meredith finished with the same score line, but was a touch slower on Sapphire SSNZ for second place. Four faults was also the best score in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, and it was the visiting North Islander, Lucy Oliver who rode Doctor Jones to victory, making it one title apiece for the North and South Islands!
Another title that made its way North across the Cook Strait was the South Island Property Brokers Grand Prix, locally supported by Kiwi Conveyancing Solutions, Champion, as the in form Sofia Williams put down the only double clear on Grassendale Enzo, to take out the class in fine style. (2-1 to the North Island!)
Sofia Williams rides Grassendale Enzo to victory in the South Island Property Brokers Grand Prix Championship. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
“Enzo tried so hard in the Grand Prix for me, there was a bit of pressure going into the second round because I was last to go, and all I needed to do was go clear. I just tried to forget about it and focus on each jump with Enzo, and to enjoy it.”
Sofia came very close to taking home a second South Island title in the FMG Young Rider. She jumped a double clear in 39.71, this time on Royal MVNZ, which was good enough for second place. Emma Gillies stole the class when she whizzed around on Benrose Black Jack, and broke the beams in a very speedy time of 35.16, giving her a very well deserved win. (2 all!)
Amy McMullan jumped the only clear on Haupouri Chantilly NZPH to be crowned the South Island Champion in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, locally supported by Charlie Fairhall McLean & Bayleys. (The South Island take the lead, 3-2!)
The Amateur and Junior rider classes saw a flurry of clears, making the riders really work to get their hands on the Champion titles. In the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, seven headed into the jump off with four going double clear. Henry Martin was the quickest of those, riding Kiwi Strike through the flags in 41.87, and once again taking the title north! (3-3) Emily Oliver and Campari’s time of 44.87 slotted her into second place, and Mitchell Cowan completed the course on Zactac Cleo in 47.97 for third place.
Sophie Townsend headed a five horse jump off on Haupouri Heidi NZPH in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by Paewai Transport. They were the fastest of three double clears. Second place went to Taryn Beattie riding LT Holst Diamond Queen, and Georgia Allison in third on Sandow Jacob. (4-3 to the South Island!)
Volante MVNZ (Diarado x Contessa LVP/Contender, bred by Mount View Sporthorses) strutted his stuff in the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Hubbers Flooring & Soft Furnishing, jumping the only double clear to give Georgie Dormer the big win. Also jumping a double clear, SLE Limoncello (Pennsylvania x NVME/ Voltaire II, bred by Jan Hunt) kept all the rails up for Molly Buist Brown, who took the win in the New Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Meaters of Marlborough. (6-3 to the South Island).
Not letting her daughter take home all the titles, Luce Williams jumped the only double clear in the East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Burnett Electrical, to take the win on the series sponsor bred Jingo ECPH (Jardonnay VDL x Cincinnati ECPH/ Cassiano).
“I couldn’t be happier with my five year old Jack, a big trip for him, but the conditions couldn’t have been better thanks to the Marlborough committee. He’s the most honest, easy-going youngster, and makes it all feel very effortless. Just fab to clock another double clear. Really enjoyed seeing some new faces and horses competing in the five year old series, some super nice horses down there!”
At the conclusion of the series classes, the South Island have a 6-4 lead!
The North vs South Island Teams events brought about some friendly rivalry and some fierce competition. First up were the ponies, sponsored by Training Solutions, and it was a win for the South Island Team consisting of Eva Wylaars on Larabelle, Grace Roy riding Blue Crush , Summer Roy on Flaxhill La Rocco and Peyton Mackintosh aboard Meadowlands Lokial who just edged out the youngsters representing the North Island, Lucy Oliver riding Barbie Doll RSNZ, Florence Hazeldine on Benrose Eclipse, Zara Hazeldine aboard Redcliffs Bill and Maisie Holyoake on Lay Z Lad.
The South Islanders also took the win in the Winder and Co Junior Rider with all their riders jumping a clear first round: Eva Wylaars riding Centanna II, Jessica Hore aboard Beaumont Cassanova and Casey Mackintosh on Takapoto India all jumped a double clear with Molly Smith riding Dynavyte Caribou DL electing to retire from the second round. Henry Martin jumped a double clear on Lagertha VWNZ for the North Island, with Emily Oliver riding both Henton Serenade and Campari, and Charlotte Smith on Leisure Time Larry all collecting faults.
Eva Wylaars was thrilled with being part of two winning teams for the South Island:
“Getting the opportunity to ride in the junior rider and pony teams alongside my friends was so fun, all day the commentator had been building up the events to have a great turn out in spectators who were all cheering for the north and south teams. It was a great course design by Edward Bullock and I really enjoyed watching the Young Rider and Senior teams riding the same track”.
Viggo Pedersen rides Tribesmen’s Warrior for the North Island in the Young Rider Teams Event. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
Johanna Wylaars riding Demietta, Molly Moffatt on Onessa MVNZ, Cara Quinn aboard Delphine NZPH and Summer Borrie riding Pure Cascade all put down good rounds to secure another win for the South Island, this time in the PGG & Fruitfed Supplies Young Rider Teams. Once again, Henry Martin put clear rounds on the board for the North Island, riding Kiwi Strike, but along with Sofia Williams on Royal MVNZ, Charlotte Scott on Double J Wilbur and Viggo Pedersen riding Tribesmen’s Warrior, they just fell short to finish in second place.
Johanna Wylaars was very happy to be a part of the winning team:
“It’s so good to be able to compete in teams events, it’s a different type of pressure than riding on your own and I think everyone did a super job. The Marlborough committee did a great job of running it and building up excitement for the class, and it’s always fun having some North vs South competition! We’d love to see it continue into the future”.
Ben Weir and Celestial were part of the winning North Island Team in the TC Nicholls Horse Team Event. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
The North Island saved the best till last when they scored a win in the TC Nicholls Horse teams. Ben Weir riding Celestial, Sofia Williams with Grassendale Enzo, Brooke Edgecombe on Firenze du Rouet and Viggo Pedersen aboard Royal Wish all jumped solid rounds to finish in first place. The South Island Team of Katie Meredith on ES Quincy, Luci Askin and Cascade, Kate Houston riding Cera Chanel and Lucy Florance aboard Sea Monster also put some good rounds on the board, but finished just behind the North Island Team.
Sofia Williams was very proud of Grassendale Enzo’s efforts:
“The Senior team class was so cool to do against all amazing riders. There was a bit more pressure for this as I was last to go again for our team. I accidently made everyone’s, especially Jaime’s heart skip a beat as I took a big flyer to the last, but luckily Enzo is a very good boy!”
Katie Meredith rides ES Quincy for the South Island in the TC Nicholls Horse Team Event. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
So, while the South Island were victorious in the battle between the two Islands, it was a strong effort from the small contingent of North Islanders that made the trip down.
The Marlborough Area Showjumping Group couldn’t have been happier with how their weekend of jumping planned out, as posted on their Facebook page:
“What a weekend. Three full days of championship sport, stunning weather, immaculate grounds and an atmosphere we were incredibly proud to host here in Marlborough.
The South Island Show Jumping & Show Hunter Championships 2025 was a true celebration of our sport, and it would not have been possible without the huge team behind the scenes…… To our volunteers, helpers, and committee – thank you for the countless hours before, during and after the show. The grounds looked exceptional, and that reflects an enormous amount of hard work and pride in our venue.
And finally, to the riders and horses who travelled from across New Zealand to compete, thank you for bringing the competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie that makes championships so special.
Also, a special thank you also to our North Islanders who made the significant trip south to compete. We know the travel, logistics and commitment involved, and we truly appreciate you being part of our championships”.
For full results go to:
18 December 2025
The Jumping Team