The FEI World Jumping Challenge is getting underway in Kazakhstan, where New Zealand has two representatives, Aimee Collinson and Sofia Williams.
For those whose knowledge of Kazakhstan stops at Borat, here are a few fun facts about Kazakhstan:
- The local currency is Kazakhstani Tenges
- The primary language is Russian and Kazakh.
- The average weather in May is relatively dry, with the possibility of thunderstorms, and daily highs between 25°C and 28°C.
- There are no strict rules on clothing, but knees and shoulders must be covered , and shoes removed in sacred places.
- Kazakhstan is 7 hours behind New Zealand.
The OC puts on a variety of events for the visiting Riders and their support crews, including black-tie dinners and a cultural visit of Astana, so they are really getting a feel for the country outside of the equestrian scene.
Wednesday (27th) saw the draw of the horses, followed by a flat and then a jumping schooling session., with the athletes riding in a Welcome Competition on Thursday (28th).
The first two qualifying competitions are held on Friday (29th), followed by a day off on Saturday (30th).
- The first qualifying competition will be one round against the clock.
- The Riders will start the second qualifying competition, a jump off class, in the reverse order from the first qualifying competition classification.
Sunday (31st) has the Farewell Competition and the Final Competition.
- The Farewell Competition is open to all athletes who did not qualify for the final. It is a jump off class, and all competitors start on zero penalties, in the reverse order from the first and second qualifying competitions classification.
- A two round competition, with the second round against the clock. All athletes that complete the first round will return for the second.
- The Final Competition is open to the best 50% of the Athletes after addition of the points obtained during the First and Second Qualifying Competitions. Competitors start in this competition with zero penalties, in the reverse order from the first and second qualifying competitions classification.
You can read more about the competition here: Rules_WCHA-S_Final_2026_Clean.pdf.
We are very lucky to have Luce Williams reporting for us, all the way from Kazakhstan:
“Horses were drawn yesterday; each rider was allowed 30 minutes flat school session in the morning. Aimee drew Hi Diarado, a lovely black stallion, 14 years old, jumped to GP previously. A well-schooled gentleman. Sofia drew Fire Fly, who came with a lovely orange kit, and his very sweet young rider (10yrs), he is from Russia.
They were allowed 90 seconds in the jumping arena in the afternoon, over 8 fences. Today was the warm up competition, there were 8 clear rounds who shared first place in the A1. Aimee and her lovely steed were one of these.”
We wish Aimee and Sofia the very best of luck over the next few days, and we will keep you updated with how the competition unfolds.
29 May 2026
The Jumping Team