Show Hunter Brings Expertise to the Jumping Ring
Georgia Allison is one of our leading Show Hunter riders carving her way to the top of her discipline. She has competed in Show Hunter for several years and is now winning titles in Amateur showjumping. Georgia has a story to tell as we celebrate 40 years since Show Hunter was introduced in New Zealand.
“I enjoy the perfectionism of it”
Georgia Allison (Oxford, North Canterbury)
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob won both the Seahorse Supplements Equitation National Series and the Summit Grains & Saddlery Amateur National Series. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Tell us about your first Pony
My first wee one was called My Tinker Bell, and she was a wee old grey pony, and she really got me started. I was probably about eight, and I remember competing her for a few years.
Where there any “eureka” moments?
Yeah, probably my second pony fueled my passion for Show Hunter more, and it was more watching others as everyone would kind of go off and do different things. I liked how you had to ride well, so that’s probably what got me hooked. I’m a little bit of a perfectionist!
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob won the Summit Grains and Saddlery Amateur Series Final, Show Hunter Championships, Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings, Sunday, March 29, 2026 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
What has Show Hunter given you that you value most every time you walk into a bigger How Hunting ring?
Probably just the plan. 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. There are always things to improve on, so you never really nail Show Hunter, I guess. You’re never going to be perfect, and the more you know, the more you kind of don’t know! To have a good Show Hunter the horse has got to have a really good canter, which I guess translates to showjumping too. And they’ve got to have a really good shape over a fence. I know there’s some pretty unconventional show jumpers out there who are successful. But in Show Hunter you’ve got to have a really traditional good shape over a fence, and then it’s just that trainability and temperament to be able to go around in a rhythm and not get hot.
How important do you think the grassroots New Zealand system is for developing riders for international sport?
Oh, it’s so important. I think that we should align more with the United States and make every rider have to do a compulsory couple of years in the Hunter ring before they’re allowed to go out, because I think the foundation it gives riders is fantastic. You just don’t get that when you start out in showjumping because there is no drive or reason to think about your rhythm, think about your canter and think about your strides because you’re not judged by it.
For young Kiwi riders watching you today, what advice would you give them about building a pathway from Show Hunter to an elite level in Show Hunter?
Go and watch, ask lots of questions. Don’t be afraid, just get involved and start. Everyone has to start somewhere, and just because you think your horse might not be perfect for the job or you think you don’t have enough knowledge, that’s not a reason not to get started. The community’s really supportive and there’s always heaps to learn.
I’ve done Pony Grand Prix, Juniors and all that sort of stuff growing up as well. I haven’t transferred to the showjumping, probably due to a lack of horsepower. I don’t have massive financial backing to go and buy myself a horse that’s going to jump massive jumps. But I am happy to stay in the Show Hunter ring. Sandow Jacob is really good. He has the right temperament and style for Show Hunter, and I enjoy the kind of perfectionism of it.
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob finished their season in great style. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall