Australian combination Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way delivered a headline-making performance to finish fourth in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Ocala, presented by Mars Equestrian.
Competing in the World Cup qualifier (a CSI5*-W international jumping competition at 1.60m with jump-off), the duo was one of just four to go clear and under time in the first round from a star-studded field of 38.
In the jump-off, the 18-year-old Australian-bred mare defied her years and stopped the clock with the fastest time. Two unlucky rails ultimately kept the pair just off the podium, but the performance underscored Oaks Milky Way’s enduring quality, soundness and competitiveness at the very top level of the sport.
Bred, produced and campaigned by Oaks Sport Horses, Oaks Milky Way (Clearway x Jalisco B) is a proud example of elite Australian jumping breeding on the international stage. Hilary broke the mare in herself and has partnered her throughout a long and successful career that has included competing for Australia at the Paris Olympics and the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning. The Ocala result marks another special milestone for the combination.
Based in Europe, Hilary continues to play a key role in producing and campaigning the Oaks Sport Horses string internationally, carrying forward the family breeding program established in New South Wales. Performances like this further reinforce the depth of Australian-bred horses competing successfully at the elite end of the sport.
While the podium narrowly slipped away in Ocala, finishing fourth with the fastest time in a CSI5* World Cup class at 18 years of age stands as a powerful testament to Oaks Milky Way’s durability and that she’s got plenty more in the tank.
Strong performance from Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara Wat Colblensky
Fellow Australian Jamie Winning-Kermond, who has recently travelled to North America with Rachel Peel’s star mare Tulara Wat Colblensky (Cornet Obolensky), were contesting their first-ever CSI5* Grand Prix in Ocala. The combination completed the first round with just two rails and a single time penalty to their name (9/76.55) – a solid effort at the highest level to place 25th.
Gochman punches ticket to Fort Worth with World Cup glory in Ocala
Mimi Gochman (USA) exceeded even her own expectations in Ocala, topping the World Cup qualifier while punching her ticket to the Finals in Fort Worth (USA).
The win marked the first at the highest level of show jumping sport for Gochman, 22, who has secured a place in her first senior championship in April. She and her 11-year-old gelding Iron Maiden produced the only double-clear effort of the class, crossing the timers of Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (Portugal) short course in 41.79 seconds. Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (Brazil) finished second with H5 Ozzy vd Bisschop, incurring a single rail on course (4/42.65s), while defending champion Cian O’Connor (Ireland) was third with Kentucky TN (4/43.36s).
“I sat down in the beginning of last year in January and said that I really wanted to go to World Cup Finals this year. I have two fantastic horses that are ready to go, and I want to test myself in a championship format. I think it’s important,” said Gochman.
