It was very special for us to see twenty one Oaks bred horses competing across the Australian Jumping Championships at Boneo. Watching so many of our horses representing riders from all parts of the country is something we take great pride in, and the number of younger Oaks horses stepping up gives us real confidence in the future.
The standout moment came in the Australian Senior Championship where Oaks horses finished first and second. Seeing Tom McDermott and Oaks Ventriloquist take out the title was a wonderful highlight. Their partnership is still new, yet they have already achieved outstanding results including a World Cup win at Stonewall last month. Venti also has a proud history at these Championships after placing second in 2022 with Izabella Stone, and it means a great deal to see him now crowned Australian Senior Champion. He becomes the second Oaks bred Senior Champion after Yandoo Oaks Constellation won in 2016 and 2017 with Jamie Kermond.
Emma Collins and Oaks Abracadabra added to the excitement by taking the runner up spot. They arrived in great form after winning the Boneo World Cup on debut at that level and produced a beautiful clear in the final round to finish just one penalty behind the winners. They are a combination we are very excited about moving forward.
We were also represented in the Senior division by Oaks Calypso with new owner Clem Smith and Oaks Cassanova with Sam Overton and were proud to see both horses out on the main stage.
In the Young Rider Championship, Oaks Botswana with Hudson Craig and Oaks Constantino with Tilley Fair both did well and it was wonderful to see these young combinations gaining valuable experience at this level.
Above: Hudson Craig and Oaks Botswana.
The Children’s Championship brought another proud result. Out of only two Oaks horses entered, both finished in the top five. Oaks Conspiracy with Harriet Smith took out second place after a consistent set of rounds, and Eliza Abrahams guided Oaks Diabella to a strong fifth.
Above: Harriet Smith with Oaks Conspiracy.
In the Mini Prix, Oaks Cryptic and Jack Barker were part of a very large and competitive field and represented Oaks proudly.
Two Oaks horses started in the Future Stars, with Oaks Empire and Brook Dobbin and Oaks Picchu Picchu and Brydan Train both gaining valuable ring time in this exciting young horse class.
Three Oaks horses lined up in the Amateur Championship. We were pleased to see Oaks Cricket with Carly Overton, Oaks Everest with Grace Overton and Oaks Van Dyke with Rhys Hamlyn all out competing strongly in this popular series.
The Emerald (Open) Series delivered one of the week’s most memorable moments when Oaks Karla, ridden by Brooke Morley who travelled from Alice Springs, won the Series final in fantastic style. Three double clears and a near five second winning margin in the final made this a standout performance. Oaks Ever Red with Cassidy Sullivan, Oaks Cobalt with Nadia Gronow and Oaks Be Sweet with Ella Manning also took part in the Emerald Series and it was great to have such a strong group representing the stud.
In the Young Horse Emerald section, Oaks Cheetah and Sam Overton jumped consistently across all three classes and delivered a top ten finish in the final.
In the Ruby Series, Oaks Queest and Matthew Whalley took part and gained further mileage in this competitive division. In the Opal Series, Oaks Quantum with Matthew Whalley and Oaks Queen of Sheba with Hannah Overton also represented Oaks with pride.Looking back on the week, we are incredibly proud of every rider who chooses to partner with an Oaks horse. A Senior Championship one two, second in the Children’s title and a commanding Emerald (Open) Series win made this a Championships to remember, and the depth shown across all levels confirms a very exciting future for our team.
Photo credit: Australian Jumping