Meet Our Ambassadors
Carl Hester MBE
Discipline: Dressage
Carl Hester MBE first competed in equestrian events after taking up a job at the Fortune Centre in Hampshire before he joined Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s yard as a rider. Hester, who was born on the Channel Islands, made his Olympic debut at Barcelona 1992 - becoming Team GB's youngest rider to ever compete at the Games - and was named as the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year for equestrian in 2011. He missed out on Beijing 2008 after injuries to two of his horses, but made amends when he won team dressage gold at London 2012, before adding a silver at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Carl says...
British built, bespoke design, along with the highest level of safety whilst transporting my Olympic rides, is why I chose a John Oates Horsebox
Jay Halim
Discipline: Show Jumping
Jay is based in Burford, Cotswolds, at the stunning Shilton Edge Farm which is his base for breeding his elite performance horses, as well as training riders at all abilities from grass routes through to Olympians.
Jay is a familiar face on the 5* Global circuit with numerous wins and placings under his belt. He has achieved 35 wins to date and is ranked in the top 2000 riders on the FEI Longines rankings.
Angus Corrie-Deane
Discipline: Dressage
Angus Corrie-Deane has competed for Team GB since he was 13 working his way up through Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders. He has 2 competition horses: Jack Johnson known as Jacob who came as a 3-year-old from Germany and Don Darius who joined the family as a yearling. Angus has trained both horses himself with support from his coaches and trainers and also the BEF sponsored Podium Potential Pathway that seeks to spot and nurture future Olympic potential among the young riders of GB. Angus and his horses are now based in the Netherlands where Angus is the rider at a top dressage yard whilst also receiving training himself and competing at International Competitions across Europe.
Angus first “found” John Oates Horseboxes when Jacob made it clear that travelling herringbone was not for him. Angus says…..
When I needed to find a horsebox that would work for Jacob, I couldn’t believe my luck to find a company that really listened to what I needed and then cheerfully agreed to everything and made great suggestions too. Wide grooms’ door with ability to lead horses out safely in case of emergency, ramps onto the left side (to open onto a verge, not the middle of the road), cleverly-designed cupboards to store and keep kit clean when travelling to competitions, super safe partitions, etc – all this plus a great payload. The proof is that my horses travel safely and comfortably and walk off the ramp ready and able to be their best.
Erin Orford
Discipline: Para Dressage
Double European medallist Erin Orford is a leading International Para Dressage Rider for Team GBR. A member of the World Class Podium Squad, Erin has competed both nationally and internationally for over 10 years, and is a familiar face on the circuit, with numerous titles to her name. As well as her success in Para Dressage, she has also ridden up to Advanced Medium at Regional level, taking her first able-bodied title in 2012, when she won the Home International at Elementary on Nirvana Morroko.
Shortlisted for the London 2012 Paralympics, named as non-travelling reserve for both the 2014 World Equestrian Games and 2016 Paralympics, in 2017 a late call-up paved the way for her long-awaited Championship debut with Dior. The highlight of her career so far, Erin and Dior returned from the FEI European Championships in Sweden as Gold and Bronze medallists! 2018 saw Erin and Dior selected for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA where Team GBR won the Silver medal.
Anthony Clark
Discipline: Eventing
Anthony Clark international 4 star event rider based in Cambridge. Has a team of 14 horses ranging from young ones to advanced /4 star horses. Originally from Cumbria Anthony has been eventing for over 30 years at all levels having won national awards for foundation points 2011 & 2012 for professional riders. He has also been on the silver medal winning European 3 star team 2015, Nations Cup teams and team training lists and Show Jumps and does Dressage to Advanced level.
Olivia Haddock
Discipline: Eventing
Olivia Haddock is a budding young event rider with a huge career ahead of her. Currently studying Equine Business Management at Hartpury College, Olivia has 3 horses she'll event this season. Having had a John Oates Horsebox in the family for over 20 years, Olivia explains there's no other horsebox she'd rather travel her horses in.
Olivia has two horses competing at Novice level this year as well as a youngster being produced carefully and sympathetically through the ranks. Olivia has produced some fantastic results in Juniors, producing her 7yr old 14hh all the way up to National Pony Trials as well as qualifying for numerous Pony Club Championships and landing a spot on the Pony Development squad.
As a long standing supporter of John Oates, we are delighted to have Olivia on board as our newest ambassador.
Eleanor Smithers
Discipline: Showing/Eventing/Dressage
Eleanor Smithers, a home-produced amateur rider based in Norfolk who enjoys a variety of disciplines with her 17 year old heart horse Caru, Pasadena Well Dun a Welsh Section C stallion. Travelling across the country with her family showing at county level and more recently campaigning the Veteran classes. At home she has two other members of the family, Ralph, another Section C who will be out this year as a novice and the latest addition Binksy who belongs to her daughter, Elicia.
We are so excited to be representing John Oates as this year’s brand ambassador and are very much looking forward to being out in our John Oates lorry continuing our success in the show ring, delving into some dressage, jumping, cross country as well as having lots of fun along the way!
Lucy Woolams
Discipline: Eventing/Riding Club
Lucy Woolams, an amateur eventer with a knack for producing horses chose John Oates nearly 5 years ago. Lucy juggles competing her 9yr old Bertie (Zatessa’s Classic) with a significant house renovation plus a young child. 2022 saw Lucy's return to affiliated eventing following a 20yr hiatus, with much success and this is where Lucy hopes to return back to in 2023.
On why she chose John Oates, Lucy explains "When choosing our new horsebox ,we were unable to achieve the design we required for our larger horse from other horsebox companies. The customer service and standard of workmanship offered by John Oates was excellent. I often travel to events and training by myself so feeling safe and being able to manage the lorry on my own is a very important factor. I also know Bertie will arrive calm, relaxed and fresh for his competitions"
Deborah Parkinson Wicks
Discipline: Para Dressage
Deborah Parkinson Wicks is a Grade II Para Dressage rider thoroughly enjoying life in rural North Shropshire, where she lives with her Husband, dogs, sheep and horses...including her very special mare Hope And Anchor. She successfully competes in Para and non-Para British Dressage and, thanks to the encouragement of those around her, has set her sights high for the future.
Deborah says...
I turned to John Oates Horseboxes when it became clear that I needed to step up from a trailer to a small lorry. Not having an arena at home, Hope and I travel to school and train five days each week and our journeys with a trailer were becoming at times perilous. The tour of the workshop was outstanding and, crucially, totally transparent. A short while after placing my order 'Kitty' was ready and waiting for me to collect! Painted in classic Porsche cream, my 3.5 Automatic Iveco is a fabulous and easy drive for a Para rider and gives Hope the smoothest of rides; she has never failed to load and always travels beautifully. The lorry ramp is light enough for me to operate and the groom area allows easy access, as well as plenty of storage space.
Thanks to my John Oates lorry Hope and I travel safely to train throughout the week and, crucially, now travel with confidence along major roads to compete and have lessons which I could not do before. My lorry is my lifeline: without her there is no question that my ambition could not be fulfilled.