Sofia Williams is a name that has really come into the spotlight this season, with multiple Grand Prix and Young Rider wins under her belt, she has made the transition from ponies to horses look seamless. It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, she took out the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series and just recently, she has been crowned the winner of not one, not two, but three series titles; the Property Brokers Grand Prix, the FMG Young Rider and the NZTR Ties Jumping Accumulator.
Sofia Williams and Grassendale Enzo. ESNZ Jumping Annual Series 2025-2026 – Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
“I’m very grateful for the season I had on my ponies, it set me up well for horses and helped that I was riding both horses and ponies at the same time. I felt a lot of pressure in the Pony Grand Prix series last season, but in the long run, it was good for me as I learnt not to get hung up on things”.
Between her two mounts, Royal MVNZ and Grassendale Enzo, Sofia has been seen heading the winners circle a whopping fourteen times in both the FMG Young Rider Series and the Property Brokers Grand Prix Series, both of which tallied up points in the NZTR TiES Accumulator series, so it’s no wonder she was the clear winner in all three series.
Sofia Williams and Grassendale Enzo. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
“It was mind blowing when I won my first Grand Prix, I was aiming for a top three finish in the Young Rider Series, that was a big goal for me and I was surprised at how fast it happened, but the Grand Prix Series wasn’t in my plan at all!”
Both of Sofia’s horses contributed to her series wins, particularly in the FMG Young Rider, and they couldn’t be more different. One a nimble and agile thoroughbred, the other a big scopey warmblood, but that doesn’t faze this young rider.
“I think that riding different horses is good for you, Enzo is very easy to ride, the benefits of having a thoroughbred are their natural agility and speed, Enzo is so athletic and naturally super-fast. I have to be more precise on Roy (Royal MVNZ), he’s a bigger, slower horse so I have to think about time faults and managing his huge stride”.
Sofia Williams rides Royal MVNZ. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
This is the second time that Grassendale Enzo has won the TiES Jumping Accumulator Series, with the last time being a couple of years ago when Sofia was sharing the ride with her mum, Luce.
ESNZ Jumping Annual Series 2025-2026: TiES Jumping Series Winner: Sofia Williams and Grassendale Enzo. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
“We have a young thoroughbred in the paddock who is a half sibling to Enzo that Mum (Luce Williams) will compete next season, and we are hoping will be as good as Enzo!”
Sofia has a busy winter lined up, as later this month she is heading off to the FEI World Jumping Challenge to compete alongside Aimee Collinson, in what is a “last minute, but very exciting” trip, after New Zealand were offered a second slot. As for next season, Sofia is dreaming even bigger, a top 6 placing on the Premier League Series leaderboard with Enzo is high on her list, and is also aiming to step Roy up to that level. World Cups are also in her eyeline, but that may have to wait until 2027, when she is old enough to compete in them!
7 May 2026
The Jumping Team