New Zealand Edge Out Australia in Thrilling Young Rider Trans-Tasman Test

Australian Jumping

Above: Emma Gillies and Benrose Black Jack.

The Young Rider leg of the 2025 Trans-Tasman Test Series provided a night of drama and outstanding horsemanship at the Waratah World Cup Show. With three national teams lining up, the competition went down to the wire, decided only by a tense jump-off between two rising stars.

Each rider jumped two rounds under Nations Cup rules, with the drop score applied to the highest penalty in each round. After both Australia Green and New Zealand finished the two rounds locked together on a perfect scoreline, the teams were forced into a jump-off to decide the winner.

For New Zealand, consistency was their strength. Team manager Jamie Campbell watched as Liam Rutland and Adele led the way with a flawless double clear before withdrawing from the jump-off. Molly Moffatt and Lazarus GNZ followed suit, delivering a polished clear in both rounds. Sophia Blackbourn on LT Holst Zalato Blue carried an early 4 faults before returning to post a strong second-round clear, keeping the team in contention. It was then left to Emma Gillies on Benrose Black Jack to shoulder the pressure, and she didn’t disappoint. Producing two faultless rounds, Emma was called back for the deciding jump-off where she delivered another superb clear in a lightning 33.77 seconds.

Australia Green, managed by David Sheppard, matched them every step of the way. Hannah Doolan and Checkbook produced a composed double clear, while Jack Barker and Oaks Cryptic also jumped clear before being withdrawn after the first round. Ella Hayward on Edena DP picked up 8 faults in round one but bounced back with a fast clear in the second. The anchor role fell to Charlie Magnier and Notre Dame de Bourguignon, who answered the call with two beautiful clears across the rounds. In the jump-off, Charlie kept the pressure on, posting another clear in 34.67 seconds, but it was just short of Emma’s winning time.

Australia Gold, managed by Coco Miles, showed moments of brilliance despite carrying more faults on the board. Molly Mooney and JB Delightful added 4 and 8, while Hudson Craig on Oaks Botswana posted a second-round 4 after a tough opener. Holly Tomkins and Finch Farm Vroom recovered from 8 in the first round to come back with a clean sheet, while Alexander Jang and Parallax SCF impressed with a steady clear. The Gold team ultimately had to settle for third on the night.

At the end of an electrifying contest, it was New Zealand who claimed the honours in the opening Young Rider test of the 2025 series. The clash was a showcase of emerging talent, with riders on both sides producing the kind of calm, polished performances usually seen from much more experienced combinations.

With two more tests to come, Australia Green will be hungry to level the ledger, while New Zealand will look to build on this momentum. For Australia Gold, the series still offers plenty of opportunities to strike back.

Detailed Results – Young Rider Trans-Tasman Challenge (Leg 1)

Team	Rider	Horse	Round 1	Round 2	Jump-Off
New Zealand	Liam Rutland	Adele	0	0
	Molly Moffatt	Lazarus GNZ	0	0
	Sophia Blackbourn	LT Holst Zalato Blue	4	0
	Emma Gillies	Benrose Black Jack	0	0	0, 33.77
Australia Green	Hannah Doolan	Checkbook	0	0
	Ella Hayward	Edena DP	8	0
	Charlie Magnier	Notre Dame de Bourguignon	0	0	0, 34.67
	Jack Barker	Oaks Cryptic	0	–
Australia Gold	Molly Mooney	JB Delightful	4	8
	Holly Tomkins	Finch Farm Vroom	8	0
	Hudson Craig	Oaks Botswana	16	4
	Alexander Jang	Parallax SCF	0	–

Full Results: https://online.equipe.com/startlists/1138117

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