Rob Oakley

Team Barastoc Rider Rob Oakley

RIDING DISCIPLINES:
I am a dressage rider first and also a Para Equestrian

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
Two time Para Equestrian National Champion, Ranked Number One Grade Two Para Equestrian in the Asia Pacific and Australia, 2008 Paralympic Squad Member, 2005 Hartpury International Festival of Dressage UK - International Para Equestrian Derby Winner, Only Australian Para Equestrian of any grade to ride Prix St George and one of only two in my grade in the World. Only Grade 1B ParaEquestrian to have competed at Medium in NSW State Dressage Championships.


WHY DO YOU FEED BARASTOC?
I feed Barastoc because it provides me with the flexibility to match the feed requirements of each horse with a consistently high quality product.

MOST MEMORABLE COMPETITION MOMENTS:
My first PSG test was a memorable moment, if not for actually achieving that level but also because it was in the pouring rain and wind. Competing internationally for the first time at Hartpury was a special moment and to win was fantastic. I made many good friends, that trip and it is a special memory.

CURRENT COMPETITION HORSES:
Peaceful Warrior is my new horse. I was lucky enough to find him in Holland and we have been working together for a few months now. He is a 17hh Warmblood by Weltmeyer. I hope to start serious open competition with him in spring summer 2008. Barastoc is my other horse, he is a 16hh thoroughbred with an impressive career, including a bronze medal at the Sydney Paralympics and reaching the FEI ranks. We have been competing together for a few years now and he is approaching retirement so we'll only be doing a few competitions each year. 


THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR RIDING CAREER:
There are so many people that have helped and inspired me, it is difficult to single any one out. I am training with Jose Mendez, he and Fay are tremendous support and good friends to me. Over the years I have trained with some great trainers including Miguel Tavora and Ann Serrao who have also been fantastic. Carolyn Lieutenant is also some one who has been a great influence on me and provided a lot of support.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT(S) IN YOUR RIDING CAREER:
For me, it’s a great thrill to ride each day, it’s a special thing to be able to train and achieve a partnership with a horse working through the grades. Some of the more memorable dressage moments have been the NSW State Dressage Championships, riding Prix St George, my first international competition and the first time I rode Peaceful Warrior in Holland and just knew he was it. I also played a lot of polocrosse as a younger man and can still remember the first time I picked up a ball at full gallop without falling off!

WHAT ARE YOUR RIDING AMBITIONS?
I want to be a good, light and soft rider. My ambition is to ride Grand Prix and see where that takes me.

WHAT DO YOU REQUIRE FROM YOUR HORSE FEED
I want my feeds to be simple and easy to match to my horses' needs. They need to be high quality and of consistent quality. Barastoc feeds provide all this and the service support to assist in selecting the right feeds is excellent.  

BARASTOC PRODUCTS USED:
I feed a combination of Barastoc Cool Command and Barastoc Endurance for “Peaceful Warrior” which gives me the energy he needs without the heat. I feed my other horse, “Barastoc” with Barastoc Senior as it meets his needs as a senior citizen who is still active and fit.