Summer Borrie has jumped at every opportunity with her showjumping, leading to her most successful season yet.

In the past year, Summer has competed from Invercargill to Taupo, receiving a number of high ranking titles.

She also travelled to Brazil in August to compete in an international five-star show, where she placed 5th overall in the 1.15m class, and was the top international rider in the same class.

This season is the first time the 18-year-old Waitaki Girls’ High School pupil had competed in the Junior Rider Series so her success was “kind of unexpected”, she says.

She did not start the season with her heart set on titles but wanted to be consistent.

Summer’s favourite shows were in Gore and at the national competition held in Christchurch, which both have great grounds and atmosphere.

Despite the competitions cutting into school time, her school had been supportive, she says.

Summer competed in the Junior Rider Series, held at multiple events across the country, and won a number of smaller titles, as well as fifth overall rider in New Zealand, second at South Islands, and first in the Taupo Easter Classic Show jumping 1.25m.  

She capped her achievements off by winning New Zealand National Junior Rider and the New Zealand Jumping and Show Hunting Championships in March.

“It couldn’t have been a better season. It’s the most successful yet.

“It’s pretty cool and quite exciting.”

Summer was named National Junior Rider 2024. Photo: Supplied

Summer started riding her friend’s horses at eight years old and got her own pony at ten.

She started competing in show hunting (the technical art of jumping) and has “slowly built up” her skills and progressed to showjumping.

Two years ago Summer’s showjumping took her to France, where she trained, learned and rode different horses.

Since turning 18, she has progressed to riding horses and sold her former pony to her dressage trainer, Lynley Stockdale.

In March last year she bought her own horse, Cassie, and hopes to find a second horse over winter.

Having horses is a commitment she says, as during the season she was riding six or seven days a week and four or five days during the winter.

“Every day I’m riding.”

She is responsible for feeding her horse, mucking out, giving it water, massaging and walking it.

“There’s a lot that goes on that people don’t know about.”

She is going out to her horse before school and after school, where she works until it is dark.

“I’m always out there. There's always something to be doing.”

But the excitement and thrill of competing makes all the work worthwhile, she says.

“You’ve got to love the sport to do it.”

Summer hopes to one day be in the Horse Grand Prix, still riding but also training her own horses.

“I love competing.”

Next year, she plans to study at Lincoln University, and has an offer from a friend to have her horses nearby.

Summer is grateful for the support of her coaches Lynley and Markiss Cowie.

“[Lynley] has probably made me the rider I am today.”