NEWS > Jumping
Posted by Written by Kirsty Pasto on 05/06/2020.
Oaks Redwood, Oaks Milky Way & Yandoo Oaks Constellation
Photographer: Cara Grimshaw & Kirsty Pasto

From Little Acorns Grow Mighty Oaks: Australian Jumping Breeding At Its Finest

Anyone who is familiar with Australian equestrian sport will have no doubt heard of Oaks Sport Horses. The prefix can be seen when scanning entry lists both in Australia and Internationally and is synomous with quality Australian jumping horses.

Based in New South Wales Oaks Sport Horses started as a small operation with the view to have more purpose bred jumping horses to strengthen Australia’s growing success in the sport.

“Breeding was not always the plan, animal husbandry is my thing, I am a farmer at heart and it is something that has always interested me” explains Oaks Sport Horses owner and founder, Alice Cameron.

“Starting about 15-20 years ago there weren’t that many Warmbloods around and the purpose bred horses really stood out both with temperament and technique. It was really nice to be in on ground floor when it came to purpose-bred sport horses.  I was lucky enough to have both Chris and Helen Chugg, and Mike Barrera, who were a terrific help in getting things started. We carefully looked at and chose horses for the program and went from there, it has been an interesting exercise” 

Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way
When asked what makes the Oaks Team so successful there is no hesitation. “Our Oaks team has come together from bush-riding on stockhorses, thoroughbred training, Pony Club and also elite show jumping – but everyone has that elusive quality of being a true horseman” 

“Our philosophy has always been to start with first class genetics, nurture and grow youngsters in the fresh air and space of the Australian environment, and to handle and educate young horses individually so each one is provided the best start possible to develop its full potential”.

From a small Australian operation an international success story has taken root. The Oaks Team now also have a base in Europe where Cameron’s daughter Hilary Scott handles the training of the exciting string of upcoming stars. 

Recently Scott, riding Oaks Milky Way, was selected to represent Australia as part of the Nations Cup Jumping Team in the United States at both the prestigious Palm Beach Masters and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre, in Wellington Florida. The Team, which also consisted of Rowan Willis, Amy Graham and Scott Keach, finished on the podium in an impressive third place against eight other Nations.


As the competitions and acolades continue to pile up Cameron says she never tires of seeing her horses and team achieve success in the arena. “It is different for us because we are not only the owners and riders but we are also the breeders, that is fantastic because it is super exciting having bred the horse as well as owning it. It gives the experience a whole new dimension. 

Hilary broke Milky (Oaks Milky Way) in herself so it has been a long and special partnership between the two of them. Amanda Madigan rode her for a little while after Hilary had moved overseas and then Milky followed not too long after that. It is also lovely to have Hilary overseas as it gives us a place to send the horses and to develop them on both sides of the globe, it is super to keep it in the family. It really is a family business and it makes me very proud of both the rider and the horse” describes Cameron.

However, this recent podium performance is not the first time that Oaks Sport Horses have been thrust into the spotlight on the international stage. In 2018 not one but two horses bred by Oaks were part of the history making Jumping Team that represented Australia at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA securing Australia a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Oaks Redwood, ridden by Billy Raymont, and Yandoo Oaks Constellation ridden by Jamie Kermond, shined a spotlight on the evolution of Australian breeding and the superb quality of Oaks Sport Horses.


When asked about the increasing success of their breeding program Cameron humbly replies; “It is a team effort and everyone has an important role to play from the grooms to the riders and the owners. It is all about teamwork and being there for the long haul. Horses you can’t do in a rush, you can have short-term success but I think true horsemen these days can be hard to find, you just have to have patience because it doesn’t happen instantly. You look at the horses that are doing well and they are 12, 13, 14-years-old. You just have to be patient. You have to take the time, if you rush it your success might be very short lived.”

One thing looks certain, the growth of Oaks Sport Horses is in safe hands as the operation continues to reach new heights. “We intend to keep breeding, some of our older mares are getting towards retirement but we certainly have got some of their daughters at home. I guess looking at the breeding program if the daughters are not better than their mothers you haven’t done your job as a breeder. We will certainly keep breeding and producing, not only for the Australian market but also internationally if we can as well” says Cameron.

For more information on Oaks Sport Horses visit: https://www.oakssporthorses.com

 Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way were part of the Australian Nations Cup Team  at the 2020 Palm Beach Masters Wellington

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