Sophie Scott wins the Wade Equine Lady Rider of the Year aboard Normandy GHP at the 2025 Defender Horse of the Year Show in Heretaunga Hastings.
Photo by Michelle Clarke Photography
Scott Eyes History at HOY
Sophie Scott is poised to make history at the Defender Horse of the Year Show tomorrow.
The 23-year-old Palmerston North equestrienne has already won three of the main showjumping titles at the show this week – the Norwood Gold Cup aboard Benrose Stellar, the Wade Equine Coaches Lady Rider of the Year with Normandy GHP, and the Cavallino Silver Fern Stakes on Waitangi Skynet.
Olympians Katie Laurie (nee McVean) and John Cottle are the only other riders to have achieved the same feat – and both have achieved the treble twice. John bagged it with his incredible duo Super Moth and Watch Me in 1997 and 1998. In 2010 Katie won the Olympic Cup on Dunstan Delphi, the Norwood on Corofino, and the Lady aboard Dunstan Daffodil. She repeated it in 2012 when she won the Olympic Cup and Silver Fern aboard Dunstan Daffodil and the Lady Rider on Dunstan Zimeroana G.
Last year Sophie took the quinella in both the Olympic Cup and Silver Fern with Waitangi Skynet and Benrose Stellar.
Always understated, Sophie isn’t counting the 2025 Olympic Cup win as a definite despite her searing form, but she never enters an arena without a win in her sights. She has entered on Waitangi Skynet, Normandy GHP and Benrose Stellar and given the form of each, you’d be brave to pick a favourite.
“I am feeling really excited about Saturday’s Olympic Cup,” says Sophie. “I don’t really think about the possibility of making history in winning all four but I have already had a bloody good show . . . anything else would be the icing on the cake!” She’s stoked to have coach Jeff McVean – father of the hugely successful Katie McVean – in her corner. “I honestly have the best support crew behind me. The class will be really competitive – hopefully our good form counts for something. I do think any one of my horses could take it.”
The 18-strong field in Saturday’s Olympic Cup is one of the larger fields in recent years and includes some serious combinations. Julie Davey (Hastings) and LT Holst Freda, winners of the FEI World Cup New Zealand Series, are always a danger. Laura Inkster (Clevedon) and Rodrigo MVNZ have shown they are ready to claim the big classes in this latter part of the season and are certainly a combination to watch.
Locals Logan Massie on his stunning stallion Bravado Ego Z and Vicki Wilson aboard her homebred Millionaire VWNZ will be wanting to make the most of their home track advantages.
South Islanders Emma Gillies aboard Lafayet Ego Z and Makenzie Causer with Dolce Del Colle haven’t made the long trip to Hawke’s Bay for a social outing so can’t be discounted.
But the two round class really is a tough one to pick at the end of the six-day show. Australian Mark Atkins has designed some fantastic courses over the week and promises much for the jewel in the crown class of HOY.
With the Olympic Cup moved to Saturday, hopes are high for a huge crowd at the Tōmoana Showgrounds in Heretaunga Hastings.
WHAT: Defender Horse of the Year Show WHEN: March 4-9, 2025 WHERE: Tōmoana Showgrounds, Kenilworth Rd, Heretaunga Hastings MORE INFO AND TICKETS: www.hoy.kiwi
