Wills Oakden
Eventing
About.
Wills Oakden is an Eventing Rider on the #horsescotland Performance Programme.
DoB: 04/03/1990
Occupation: Full Time Eventer
Discipline: Eventing
How did you become involved within equestrianism and how has your career developed?
Family owned a riding school in the Lakes so I have been brought up around horses. From a young age my dream was to compete at Badminton and Burghley. As a teenager I went off to learn my trade at Ian Stark's yard where I quickly learnt the hard work and dedication that was involved in becoming a top rider.
Who is your sporting hero? Why?
Ian Stark and Andrew Nicholson have always been ones I look up to, their riding styles and horsemanship has always impressed me.
Equestrian Ambition:
To reach the top of the sport and earn a place on the GB Team.
Where are you based?
Perth
Random/ Interesting fact about yourself:
I like to do the washing, my wife Stephanie is not allowed near the washing machine, I do it all.
Will's Horses.
Passport Name: Oughterard Cooley
Stable Name: Rich
Owner: Debbie Whalley and Liz Magennis
Year of birth: 2010
Sex: Gelding
Height: 16.2hh
Colour: Bay
Sire: Puissance
Dam: Oughterard Sky Cruise
Grade: Advanced/4* qualified 5*
Result/Accolade Highlights:
3rd Advanced Aston Le Walls Advanced 2021
6th Advanced Weston Park 2021
Consistent top 20 at 4* level with a 4th place at Blair Castle CCI 4*S 2019
3rd Aston Le Walls Advanced 2021
4th OI Burnham Market September 2021
Outstanding Features/temperament:
Rich is our head girl Sarah’s favourite. He is one of the quirkiest horses for me to ride but the easiest on the ground.
Passport Name: MacGregors Cooley
Stable Name: Greg
Owner: Ella MacGregor
Year of birth: 2012
Sex: Gelding
Height: 16.1hh
Colour: Chestnut
Sire: Balou Du Rouet
Dam: AKD Possession
Grade: Advanced/4*
Result/Accolade Highlights:
5th CCI3* L Houghton International
2nd Weston Park Advance
7th CCI3*S Keysoe International
1st Intermediate Cholmondely Castle
1st Intermediate Aske
Was the 100 Scottish Championship Open winner in 2017 as a 5yrs old
2nd CCI4*S Barbury July 2021
2nd OI Hopetoun August 2021
5th CCI4*S Blair Castle Int. August 2021
Outstanding Features/temperament:
Greg is another firm favourite with the girls on the yard, easy to do in all ways. He is a competition horse who aims to please and enjoys his job.
