Sophie Scott currently holds second place on the leaderboard with 65 points, thanks to consistent performances from her horses Benrose Stellar and Normandy GHP, each having won a qualifier this season. Having won the final last season, Sophie is eager to claim the series title this year, focusing on steady progress with her horses feeling good. Makenzie Causer, in third place with 59 points, is competing in her first full World Cup season with her mare Dolce Del Colle, balancing the challenges of travel and limited prep shows while building confidence through experience.

The New Zealand league final, designed by Canadian Peter Holmes, will award points-and-a-half to placegetters and take place at Takapoto Estate, with the winner earning a spot at the World Cup final in Fort Worth, Texas. Other notable competitors include Tara Gower with Riverhills Legend, Fran Corich with Bannockburn ECPH, and debutants Laura Inkster, Edward Bullock, and Samantha van Lierde. New Zealand’s best World Cup final result remains Katie Laurie’s sixth place in 2011, with Luke Dee and Gangster WW finishing 31st in this year’s world final in Switzerland.