Sofia Williams.  Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Sofia Williams super season just got a whole lot better, being named as part of the New Zealand Olympic Team for the Youth Olympic Games. It comes on the back of winning the Property Brokers Grand Prix, FMG Young Rider and NZTR TiES series and being chosen to represent the nation at the FEI Jumping World Challenge later this month.

“It’s pretty crazy,” says the 17-year-old from the Wairarapa. “When I was doing the FEI World Jumping Challenge I was just aiming for the Youth Olympic Games so it was mind-blowing when the opportunity to go to Kazakhstan for the jumping challenge came up – it was completely unexpected.”

And hot on the heels of that came her naming for the Youth Olympic Games – the first athlete to be announced by the New Zealand Olympic Committee. “It is pretty exciting. I just can’t wait.”

The FEI Jumping World Challenge Final is being held in Astana, Kazakhstan from May 28-31, with the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar between October 31-November 14.

Sofia puts much of her success down to her family. “My parents have ingrained a very competitive way into us all,” she says. “I am super competitive and love jump-offs . . . Enzo has that same competitive spirit too.” Her brothers Max and Harvey are the same, albeit on a different sort of horsepower, competing with success in off-road cross country and enduro motorbike racing.

Sofia’s parents Luce and George will accompany her on both trips. She’s still pinching herself about how her season played out and what is shortly to come. This is a teen who is completely dedicated to her sport, hugely talented and immensely grateful for the team around her – both two and four legged.

Ten-year-old Grassendale Enzo, who raced under the name of Boom Boom Basil, started his jumping career with Sofia’s mum Luce who bought him as a three-year-old. She rode him to success but was happy to hand the ride to her “much braver” daughter as Enzo progressed up the grades while she continues to produce youngsters.

“Enzo tries so hard,” says Sofia. “He is what you would define as a perfect horse. He is so cuddly and gorgeous on the ground, easy and fun to ride, and really knows his job. He is very expressive in all he does.”

Sofia Williams and Grassendale Enzo.. 2026 NZL-ESNZ Jumping Series Finals. Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Center, Taupo. Friday 10 April 2026. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

She gains a lot of inspiration from her mum. “She works so hard and what we do together is really special. I am so grateful for the support I get from my family, coaches and friends. I feel very lucky my Mum and Dad are so invested in my showjumping.” Brooke Edgecombe is Sofia’s main coach, walking courses at shows and warming her up for the big rounds. “She’s been really helpful with Royal MVNZ who is just so different to my other horses. He is 18hh and has a huge stride. It is crazy to think I was on ponies last season.”

Sofia only got Royal MVNZ two weeks before the first show of the season but they quickly gelled, stepping up from junior riders to Grand Prix seamlessly. “Everything just came together. He is a good sized horse for me and I love his energy.”

Brooke and husband Oliver have been excellent sounding boards for Sofia but she also turns to her aunt and uncle, Dame Catriona and Sam Williams. “They both know so much about horses. I send some of my videos to Cat for her perspective on my rounds.”

Sofia is in Year 13 at St Matthews and while she has decided she won’t be heading to uni next year, she’s hasn’t fully planned what 2027 will look like. “It’s a work in progress! I am going to pursue my riding for a while and it may be that I head to Aussie after our season. It will be a good test to see if I want to keep riding.” She’s hopeful to have her debut World Cup start next season.

Outside of horses, Sofia plays hockey for the school’s first eleven and social netball too. “It’s nice to catch up with my friends in the off season too.”

Click the link below for the official announcement from the NZ Olympic Committee:
https://olympic.org.nz/news/sofia-williams-selected-for-dakar 

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photo by Libby Law Photography
18th May 2026