OAKS CASSANOVA
He may be small in stature but don’t let that fool you, what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart. To those who know and love him, he is Australia’S KING ED!
It is our great pleasure to share the story of a little horse who has taken on the world. His name is 𝐎𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚 and he is partnered with Queensland’s 𝐒𝐚𝐦 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧. This is his story.
Ed or Little Ed as he is known at home was foaled in 2008. Bred by Alice Cameron at Oaks Sport Horses out of Oaks Alto by Ego Casablanca. As we have a habit of saying in these posts, Ed too is as they call it ‘bred in the purple’. As we know in breeding, the mare matters, and Ed’s dam Oaks Alto has proven quite the producer of quality jumping horses.
Looking at Oaks Alto’s grandsire on the sire side Quidam de Revel, it will come to no surprise to those interested in breeding that little Ed has turned out quite the jumper. Quidam, bred by Mr. Lerrede and foaled in 1982 had an exceptional career in both sport and breeding. In 1992 he claimed a bronze medal in the Team’s Competition and finished fourth in the Individual Final with Hervé Godignon of France at the Barcelona Olympics. Quidam was retired from sport to focus on his breeding career. His legacy continues today through the success of his many offspring who compete at the highest level in sport.
Okay, now back to little Ed…
It feels like fate that Sam and Ed found their way together. In 2013 on a trip to Perth to try horses at Caitlin Bolger’s (one whom is Ed’s best friend in the whole wide world Pablo), Carly and Sam tell us the story of how they found Ed.
“When we were [in Perth] we found an add on Cavaletti.com – we almost didn’t go! It was stinking hot and the add said he was only 15.2hh and hadn’t jumped under saddle. [We’re] pretty glad we went!”
Ed’s Western Australian family the Miocevich’s have stayed in touch with the Overton’s and have even visited him at his new home in Queensland, we’re sure they are extremely proud of the success Sam has had with him!
With a glittering career including winning the David Overton Memorial Cup, Winning the Australian World Cup League and Competing in the World Cup Finals in Omaha Nebraska and Jumping for Team Australia in the Nations Cup in Canada, it might come as a surprise to some that Ed was (as his parents describe him) was ‘quite a tough little bugger’ at the beginning of his career. I’m sure Sam will agree when we say his perseverance has certainly paid off!
Ed has many loves. Jumping, carrots, liquorice and his best friend Pabello (Pablo). Pablo and Ed have been together since their journey across the Nulllabor back in 2013. When Ed returned home after being in the United States for eight months, Pablo did a double take when he first saw his best friend again.
They adore one another and when the time eventually comes, will make a great pair of clowns in the retiree paddock together.
The one thing Ed loves most of all you ask? Sam. 𝐄𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐦. Ed loves nothing more than face rubs after jumping clear rounds, chewing on Sam and giving him a few friendly licks as well. Ed loves Sam and he loves his job, perking up and quickening his step whenever he approaches the competition arena. “He has such an amazing attitude – he really does love getting in the arena and jumping jumps!”
Ed is a particular guy. Every day, Ed ‘pushes’ Sam down the hill to the arena with his teeth on Sam’s shoulder blade. Ed hates bot flies, new jump fill on the arena and waiting around for trot ups. We get it Ed, we don’t think Kings should be waiting in line either!
Sam and the team at Overton Showjumping have been very fortunate to partner with some amazing Australian Owned companies over the past few years. Sam wears Emcee Apparel day in day out. The team adore their personalised Bates Victrix Saddles and the tackroom is filled with so many beautiful and functional things from Completely Equine!
A very big thank you also to Sam Buchanan Farrier Service for keeping the team in tip-top shape and a very special shout out to Sally!
Ed, you are a special guy. Watching your journey with Sam has filled us all with immense joy and we cannot wait to see you in action next week at the 2024 GDP Classic!
Sam would like to thank his sponsors for supporting him on his journey
Emcee Apparel, Bates Saddles, Completely Equine, Overton Showjumping, Sam Buchanan Farrier Service
Photo credits:
Outdoors Vancouver: Cara Grimshaw
Indoor WC Final: Christine Cornege
Tamworth: Oz Shotz
SIEC: John Maunder
View Gallery
