We're thrilled to present interviews from Land Rover Horse of the Year. It was exhilarating to witness competitors giving their all at the event. Despite slightly lower spectator numbers, seeing the show back on our equestrian calendar is fantastic. 

Continuing our tradition, we feature Olympic Cup winners Sophie Scott and Benrose Waitangi on our cover. Sophie's double victory, with clear rounds in both the first round and the jump-off, marks a historic moment in the sport in New Zealand, and that is not to mention that she did the same thing in the Cavillion Silver Fern Stakes!

We picked Sophie in 2021 as a competitor who would rise to the top of show jumping, and she is certainly proving our prediction correct. She is incredibly calm at the helm with her talented team of horses, and with the guidance of her family and her trainer, Jeff McVean, we are sure to see her on the international stage before long.

After a worrying start to the season, Makenzie Causer also made us proud and surprised us with her grit and determination. Despite being laid up in bed for a long time due to a virus, she too soared to great heights in the show jumping arena.

The young riders emerging in our sport are so exciting to watch, and Johanna Wylaars and Molly Smith are perfect examples of the talent in the sport. Johanna, the Young Rider series leader, was jointly named Young Rider of the Year with Charlotte Conder. We'll feature an interview with Charlotte in our next issue.

Molly won the Pony of the Year on Kabo Fortune Cookie, with the combination having had only one start in Grand Prix before LRHOY. Molly was fortunate to be offered the ride on this exceptional pony, owned by Jesse Linton, when her own pony, Vapour Trail NZPH, was ruled out due to injury, making this win even more special. 

We also caught up with Allie Harper. Her stunning Hi D’Zine MH claimed Riding Horse of the Year as the culmination of an exceptional season. This combination competes in Advanced Medium dressage, and watching a horse perform so elegantly and correctly was a pleasure. 

What a thrill to see Sarah Jocelyn win Show Hunter Horse of the Year! Despite her struggles with a long-standing brain injury, she has shown that nothing can stand in her way, and the title is a testament to the bond she has with her special horse, Curioso.

We have other interviews from around the country, including Deanika Vink, showcasing her talent with Havanah DHU in the Pro-Am classes. They are certainly ones to watch! The same can be said for Deanna Horsburgh, who competes in Pro-Am classes under the guidance of Vaughn Jefferis.

Lilly Jefferies is no stranger to the dressage arena, and we caught up with her before the Bates National Championships. Seeing such dedication from a young rider on her talented horse, Diaz MH, is great.

Mother-daughter team Luce and Sofia Williams are inspirational. Both are incredibly talented show jumpers, with Luce competing in Pro-Am and Sofia competing in Junior Rider and Pony Grand Prix classes. It's heart-warming to see families supporting each other in our sport.

Grace Gormack is another talent to watch, following in the footsteps of her dad, Giles, on the South Island eventing scene. Riding two exceptional horses under his guidance, there's no doubt she's destined for international competition.

Finally, we enjoyed catching up with MVS/Equibreed and getting the story on their recent merger. Their contribution to the New Zealand breeding industry cannot be overstated. Their new facility is state-of-the-art, and they remain the only MPI-approved facility for semen collection for freezing for export. Learn more about their fantastic team and what's happening in the business.

Until next time, happy riding everyone.

 

Sheryll Davies - Publisher.