Sophie Scott, Tristan Thomas, Katie Meredith, Emma Gillies.  They’re just some of our World Cup showjumpers carving their way to the top of their discipline.  But how many people knew that these elite riders and others like them honed their craft in the Show Hunter ring?  And, Georgia Allison, who has competed in Show Hunter for several years, is now winning titles in Amateur showjumping proving success travels both ways.  From across the country, each rider has a story to tell as we celebrate 40 years since Show Hunter was introduced in New Zealand. Their stories are being posted across the week on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ESNZjumping.showhunter   Here is a taste of what they have to say: 

Sophie Scott (Palmerston North): “Fundamentals that stay with you your whole riding career.”   Show Hunter taught me patience and consistency, and how small adjustments make a big difference to your round. It taught me a great style of riding and all about doing the basics really well. 

Sophie Scott rides Waitangi Skynet, Dannevirke World Cup Show, Saturday, January 10, 2026 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

Tristan Thomas (Rotorua): “Show Hunter isn’t just a stepping stone.”   Last season for an example, at the Gisborne Show  I went double clear in the 1.40m and we ended up winning that class. The next day I did the Open Hunter metre 15 high points and then on the Sunday I did the Grand Prix. You know, they’re very different. It’s not about the heights necessarily;  it’s about riding that perfect round.  And that’s why I think Show Hunter isn’t just a stepping stone, I think it is something that is an equivalent sport to showjumping.

Tristan Thomas rides Matai Zarité, Hawkes Bay A&P Show, Friday, October 24, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

Katie Meredith (Ohoka, North Canterbury): “Now my whole business is training young horses.”  It has given me such a good grounding for how it’s meant to feel, and I take a lot of what I learnt in the Show Hunter days into the way I am producing young horses.  The straightness, the rhythm, and all of those things are so important. And so, I think it’s a big part of the basics in how I train them and how I want them to go. 

Katie Meredith rides ES Quincy, Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, Manfeild Park, Feilding, Sunday, December 21, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

Emma Gillies (Oamaru): “The most effective way to build young riders for success.”   You need to build a strong foundation in your riding right from the beginning. Focusing on things like equitation, presentation and just how to ride a course with the basics.  It’s not all about going fast to win!  Show Hunter, I believe, is the most effective way to build young riders for success.

Emma Gillies and Benrose Black Jack win the FMG Young Rider. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.

Georgia Allison (Oxford, North Canterbury):  “I enjoy the perfectionism of it.”    I like going in and having a really set plan about how you’re going to ride and what you’re going to do. So, I take that through to everything else I do. And yeah, making sure that you keep a rhythm and everything else should work.  When you compete at a high level, it gets more technical. There’s always new stuff to learn!

Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob have just won the Summit Grains and Saddlery Amateur Series Final,  2026. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall