News

GOOD NEWS: OAKS DREAMTIME - 5YO CHAMPION at JUMPING with the STARS

We were very excited to hear that "Dreamy" and owner, Caitlin Bolger, took out the EA Young Horse title for 5 year olds last weekend. We look forward to seeing more of this pair while Caitlin has a month on the east coast with her jumping team.

SAD NEWS:  VALE PARIS TEXAS

Pro Ratina look-alike 6 year old Oaks Paris Texas died last week after irreparable colic surgery. She will be sadly missed not only as a future lynch-pin of the Oaks SJ team, but as the sweetest, best-natured horse God ever put breath into. Elle is very sorely missed around the stables.

TRANSITIONS

Oaks Centurion and Diabella are heading to Victoria to their new home with Adam Wootten to begin their jumping careers.

WORLD CUP at SYDNEY EASTER SHOW

29 horses started in the 2013 World Cup at Sydney, with clear rounds and 4 faulters going into the jump-off. Winner, Sharon Slater on CP Ulixes, as the only double clear. Second and third places went to Jamie Kermond on Yandoo Laughtons Legacy and Des Russell's Valhalla. We were thrilled with Miss Scarlet's first round and with her eventual ninth placing after the jump-off round.  

AWHA ASSESSMENT TOUR at OAKS HILL

The Trackener/AWHA two week nationwide tour came to a close with the final day held at the Oaks complex. Visiting German Assessor, Matthias Werner was both interesting and interested about Australian warmblood horses and very impressed with the quality of those presented to him throughout the tour. Co-Assessor was Silvia Ahamer , the well-known Registrar and Classifier from the AWHA. 

As a finale to the tour, the AWHA and Trackener Association hosted a lunch where breeders and owners could chat with Matthias. A highlight was a dressage demonstration by Suellan Saals' stallion Monarch. Particularly valuable was  a demonstration and talk by Matthais on presentation to best showcase a horse's gaits and conformation using both a mature ridden horse and a foal still on the mare.

Congratulations to the organisers of this tour - something serious breeders and Warmblood fanciers alike found fascination and informative. We look forward to Matthais' return in 2 years.

Photos to follow - scores available on AWHA website/Events/Asssessment Tour

ROSE FAREWELLS THE RING - Pro Ratina retires

Very sadly, Oaks Pro Ratina will be retired. On the morning of Kiama Show, Todd found her cast in her stable and she had to be rushed to the vet for emergency colic surgery. Tough old girl that she is, she is back home adjusting to a much quieter life.

Pro Ratina really was one in a million - she was everyone's favourite for her implacable temperament, undeniable scope and bravery, beautiful cadenced paces: truly a beautiful mare. She gave Hilary and more lately, Todd, so much experience and confidence. She will take her place in the broodmare paddock, no doubt to regale them with her exploits - or more possibly catching up on her favourite pastimes of sleeping and eating.

Rose will continue to be an important part of the Oaks breeding program - we are excited to see her progeny starting to compete, though we will all miss the grand dame herself.

Oaks Medallion SIEC 6 December

What a great day at the Oaks Medallion Young Horse finals at SIEC, a wonderful group of young horses.
Congratulations to everyone for making it to the finals and a huge congrats to all the winners and place getters. We were delighted with a win for Oaks Sport Horses in the 5YO class, Todd Hinde and Concord Ego Z, and Chris Chugg's Baluga, who is sire to many of our next season foals, won the 6YO class.  

A huge thanks to judges Paul Asthanasoff, Gina Montgomery, Leopoldo Pilazias, and Rory Hovell, and to all the workers behind the scenes who made it a thoroughly enjoyable day.

The full results and links to photos are on our Young Horse Series page.

GRAND NATIONAL - what a show!

Kerrie Winning and her team, and the Sydney Polo Club, set a new level for Australian Showjumping last weekend at the Polo grounds near Richmond. Four beautifully surfaced rings lined with sponsor pavilions, slick scheduling, efficient running, lovely little touches like drinks for riders near each ring: everyone who attended was full of praise and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Fittingly, Jamie Kermond of Yandoo, took out both the Silver (Caracas) and the Gold (Valhalla) - congratulations also to Des Russell, owner of both grey stallions.

There were two days of Young Horse classes with a dedicated Young Horses ring each day. The classes for all age groups were very strong.  For results, see the Young Horse Series page.

2012 Young Horse Qualifier - Sydney Jump Club

Results for the Young horse events at Sydney Jump Club were:

5 Year Olds  1. Nicoletta - James Hetherington    2 . Sophia Rose - Aaron Hadlow     3. Contention - Zac Maher

6 Year Olds  1. Turn It Blue - Bridget Hanson        2. Yalambi's Chiquita - Evie Buller  3.  Oaks Castanza - Todd Hinde

7 Year Olds   1. Bonita Aurelia - Jono Berry           2. Geographic - Bonnie Martin

the next qualifier will be at the Sysney Polo Club Grand National Show on 8 and 9 September.

2012 AWHA Gala Day Jumping - First Oaks Young Horse Qualifier

It was windy and chilly, but everyone had a great day at the first qualifier of the season, at the AWHA annual Gala at SIEC. There was an Open program as well as the Young Horse classes, and the 1.10m and 1.20m were particularly well-supported. Course designer, Mark Atkins, built encouraging tracks for the young horses - riders and horses alike improved with each round.

Winners on the day were:
5yo - Contention -  Zac Maher
6yo - Yalambi's Cambridge - Maddison Stephen
7yo - JS Vitina Z - Jess Stalling

Full report of places in the Young Horse Series page. 

Millie sold to Tom Sutherland

Our very first mare, Glenara Park Millie, will become the foundation of Tom's breeding program. Millie has been a very successful for Oaks. Her progeny have been outstanding: she is one of those mares that adds her positive qualities to those of each sire. All her youngsters have a competitive edge and toughness. 

IMPALA HAS FIRST STARTS

Impala, Hilary and Todd's new mare, had her first outing last weekend with starts each day in the 1.30m classes. By day 3 the partnership with Hilary was starting to look solid, so we look forward to the next few months of getting acquainted.

It was a great weekend for the young horses - Sharko, in the 1,20m, Paris Texas and Castanza in the 1.10m and 1.15m, all had solid rounds and gained plenty of experience.

The makings of a partnership - Hilary and Oaks Impala in the 1.30m on the weekend.