OAKS CALYPSO

 

This is the story of 𝐎𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐏𝐒𝐎, who is known as Calypso or Big Clipper at home and he is being partnered by Brad Frankum.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 was bred in 2010, he stands at a whopping 18hh and was bred by Alice Cameron of Oaks Sport Horses. He is by the magnificent Copabella Cadiz and out of a Dam called Oaks Paris Texas.

Not much is known by us normal people about 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨’s grandsire Littorio, so there we will focus. His owner once described him as producing top performers across the disciplines and his progeny really appeared to begin to excel later in their teens.  This led to a demand for Littorio progeny for breeding and competition. 

Littorio was a promising stallion and sire of many winners in both Jumpnig and Dressage. He's a son of the influential sire Lord, who is famous for siring successful jumpers and hunters. His sire, Ladykiller, a Thoroughbred, was not very succesful as a racer for he was far too heavily built. So instead, he was retired from the track and sent to a studfarm where he would be used to refine the Holstein breed. Ladykiller carries lines to Fairway and Gainsborough (through Hyperion).
Littorios family was ranked number one for producing dressage horses in the world with such relatives as Flemmingh. Gestion Lingh and Krack Z. 

On the Sire side we see Chin Chin and the one who needs no introduction Grandsire Quidam De Revel.

So Big Clipper you are definitely purple all the way!

Brad and 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 have been together for 5 years now. Alice Cameron approached Brad at a show and suggested he look at him. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 had been ridden by a number of previous riders and Alice thought he would thrive with a long term rider. Brad hadn’t jumped a World Cup track for nearly 20 years when he bought 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 and now he’s been around some big ones.  Brad is so very grateful to have Calypso and to Alice for making it happen.

A joureny to World Cup level may seem to take a while to get the Rythmn, but boy now have they got it! One of 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨’s previous riders said he is the hardest horse to sit on over a jump he has ever ridden. He has a massive stride and a huge unconventional jump. Brad has had a torn hamstring and three torn adductor muscles just from jumping him! 

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 really trusts Brad, who can forget that push up video back in Covid, when Brad was doing them off 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 and 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 just turned and looked at him and went ok dad.

Everywhere 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 goes he makes friends. Other horses, people, it doesn’t matter. He is very sweet but so big with a big white blaze that he is hard to miss. At the Royal Easter Show he will stand dead still while kids pat him. If they try to touch his face he just lifts his head up and no one can reach it!

When we asked Brad what did 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 love, we were certainly very moved by the response, as the last part of it showed just how much he is truly loved.. His loves?  Food. Any. Especially carrots. Oh and of course, Brad, a little bit, he hopes! 
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨… we know you love your Dad as much as he loves you. 

One of Brad’s most favorite memories with 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 was being the recent runner up in the Teams at Magic Millions. Brad says it was a real thrill and Calypso jumped a clear jumping round when the team needed it. Brad was also extremely  proud of 7th in the Summer Classic WC qualifier in very trying conditions and making the final round  of the Australian Championships.

Brad has some very important people who he cannot go past saying a very heartlfelt thank you to. He tells us none of what he does would be possible without his beautiful family and especially his wife Anett. He knows they are his greatest supporters. His other thanks go to his great friends Fliss and Rob Coles. Also not to be forgotten, Colleen Brook who has given Brad invaluable help with 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 with her thoughtful approach and understanding that he requires a unique ride.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐨 we love your story, we love the most that you are just so loved by your Human Dad, we love that he persevered even though you have injured him with your big jump. Keep being you, we will be cheering for you loudly at the Classic!

Good luck!

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Photo Credit: Australian Jumping, Oaks Sport Horses, Brad Frankum