In just a few days, the eagerly awaited battle between one of the biggest rivalries to grace the earth commences,  the Trans-Tasman Young Rider Test.  The question is, can the Kiwi’s retain the trophy and keep it on home soil? Let’s meet our team, who will be led by Chef d’Equipe Jaime Campbell-Ward, that are getting ready to take on the mighty Aussies.

 

Sophia Williams (Wairarapa)

Despite only being 16 years of age, young Sophia has taken the Jumping world by storm this season. You will usually see her riding her lovely grey thoroughbred, Grassendale Enzo, or her relatively new partner, Royal MVNZ, oh and on the winner’s podium! Between the two horses, she has picked up four wins and numerous placings in the FMG Young Rider Series that sees her sitting on top of the leaderboard. This season she has stepped up to Property Brokers Grand Prix level on Grassendale Enzo, and you could say that’s going alright, as with three wins under her belt, she is also sitting atop that series leaderboard!

 

Sofia Williams rides Grassendale Enzo in the Mana Stables FEI CSI 1* at Dannevirke World Cup Show. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

 

Chloe Armstrong (Wellington)

Seventeen year old Chloe is another youngster that is going very well this season. Aboard her usual ride, Benrose Casino ECPH, she has won two FMG Young Rider classes that, along with other placings, sees her currently sitting in seventh place on the series leaderboard. Chloe is also doing well in the NZ Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series where she is in eighth place on her future star, Double J Celine.

 

 

Chloe Armstrong rides Double J Celine. Photo Credit to Denise Flay.

 

Liv Teixiera (Northland)

Eighteen year old Liv has been producing her number one horse, Balmoral Candyapple I GNZ for a few years now, and this season they stepped up to Mini Prix where they won their first start, it doesn’t get much better than that! Liv also has a couple of young ones that she is producing up the grades.

 

Liv Teixeira rides Balmoral Candyapple I GNZ. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

 

Samantha-Lee Wakeling

Eighteen year old Sam has been a familiar face in the winner’s circle of the Young Rider circuit for a few years now, and has picked up some good placings so far this season. She can usually be seen in the saddle of the experienced Veroana that she has competed up to Grand Prix level, or her new ride this season, James Bentley, who she jumped a great round on in the FEI CSI1* just a couple of weeks ago.

 

Samantha Wakeling rides James’ Bentley in the Mana Stables FEI CSI 1* at Dannevirke World Cup Show. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

 

First Reserve – Cara Quinn (Otago)

Eighteen year old Cara has had a great run so far this season, between her two mares, Haupouri Dakota NZPH and Delphine NZPH, she has picked up a couple of wins in the FMG Young Rider Series to currently sit her in ninth position on the leaderboard.

 

Cara Quinn rides Delphine NZPH. Photo Supplied.

 

Second Reserve – Adison Hall (Waitemata)

Seventeen Year Old Adison only stepped up to jump Young Rider’s a couple of months ago, not that you’d know it! In just a handful of starts, she has picked up a huge three wins and a second place that has helped her to a very tidy sixth place on the FMG Young Rider Series leaderboard. You will usually see her on her stunning grey mare, Waitangi Connection, along with a couple of young ones. Adi was also the mentor of the 2026 Answer Back Cup Champion, Georgia McAree.

 

Adison Hall winning a FMG Young Rider on Waitangi Connection. Photo Credit to Cornege Media.

 

Jaime Campbell-Ward – (Auckland) – Chef d’Equipe.

Jaime has grown up riding and has produced many a young horse, picking up a hoard of titles over the years. She has competed all the way up to World Cup level, gaining plenty of experience from riding overseas along the way. When’s she’s not in the ring or spending precious family time with her husband and young son, Jaime is the New Zealand based High Performance manager and the Chef d’Equipe to our Young Rider Team.

 

Jaime Campbell-Ward, NZ High Performance manager and Chef d’Equipe.

 

The Australian Team to face the Kiwi’s consists of:

  • Cody Ticknell
  • Molly Mooney
  • Sienna Holdsworth-Rose
  • Tanner Robinson
  • Emily Lang-McMahon (Reserve)

https://www.equestrian.org.au/…/australian-young-rider…

 

The competition will be on borrowed horses with teams swapping mounts over the three days..

The New Zealanders took the win in 2025 and 2024, while the Aussies took the win in 2023.

 

With the cancellation of Gisborne Show the competition will be held at the Tavendale and Partners New Zealand Jumping & Show Hunter Championships at the Dunstan Horsefeeds National Equestrian Centre, Christchurch, 22-24 January 

 

Best of luck to both teams, may the odds be ever in your favour!

 

20 January 2026

The Jumping Team