The annual Jumping @ Willinga show saw a number of progeny of Oaks Sport Horses perform very well.
No doubt the star of the show was Oaks Van Dyke (Vivant x Sweetlana II by Stolzenberg), expertly ridden by Phillip Lever, who took two significant wins. After winning a 1.35 class for horses less than 10-years-old, they went on record a double clear win in the Mini Prix. Oaks Van Dyke has shown phenomenal improvement since the end of last year and we have high hopes for the future with this stunning son of Vivant.
Also in the winner’s circle was Oaks Quebec, ridden and owned by leading amateur rider Melanie Heygate. They won a 1.15m class as well as appearing on the podium a further three times, including twice placing second in Amateur classes. The Quintago 1 mare also had a third placing in an open 1.20m class.
Oaks Visionary, now a 16-year-old, also won a class, taking out a 1.05m event with Alexis Clark in the saddle. The daughter of Vivant, who seven years ago was campaigning in Europe under the guidance of Hilary Scott, may not be jumping as high as she once did but was good enough to take this class and record a third placing in a 1.05m class.
Finally, an Oaks horse which might be one to watch in the future is Oaks Everest. Expertly piloted by young gun rider Madeline Sinderberry, who only months ago took out her first World Cup Qualifyer, the pair recorded a second in a 1.20m class for horses 7-years-old and younger. This result came just weeks after Madi and Oaks Everest won a qualifying round of the Rising Stars Tour at the recent Tamworth World Cup Show. We will be watching on with great interest to see how this pair progress.