Sidesaddle puissance record holder Susan Oakes is bound for the US having signed a deal with Phelps Media Group which will see her showcase her sidesaddle talents across America on Irish-bred horses.

Along with her displays, Oakes hopes to set a new sidesaddle record over the wall in the US. The deal, which was signed in May, has resulted in Oakes receiving invitations to major shows for both sidesaddle displays and puissance classes. Oakes’ trip to showcase the Irish horse is entirely self-funded.

Cisero on the move

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The Navan rider will bring with her a team of horses and among those is Liam O’Meara’s multiple puissance winner, Cisero. She will also bring Zyne Edelheid S, Coral Misty’s Comic, O’Muircheartaigh, Rambo, Lydon’s house and Parsons Pistol. All horses have demonstrated their talents in their own fields, but Oakes is hoping that they can wow under sidesaddle.

On the purchase of Cisero, Oakes said: “I knew that I needed a new puissance horse and I was always fond of Liam O’Meara’s horse, Cisero. I rang Liam only a couple of weeks ago to see if he would part with him. I went to see him and he was a lovely character. I’m not sure how he’ll like the sidesaddle but I’m happy to take that chance. Liam has also agreed to help me with him. Liam will ride him in Dublin and I hope that he will continue to ride him in a few puissance classes every year and might even come to the US to jump him in one. From now on, a percentage of any prize money that Cisero receives will go to the Jack & Jill Foundation.”

Aachen

The team will begin their tour in Aachen where Susan has been asked do a jumping display for the opening ceremony of the European Championships. She will ride Zyne Edelheid S, a new mount she purchased in the Czech Republic.

“I am very excited about the future as it is a great opportunity to showcase the Irish horse and hopefully lodge some new records.”

Along with her puissance record of 6ft 8in, Oakes was the first lady to ride a sidesaddle point-to-point winner since the 1920s. She was also the first lady to ride a winner under racing rules in a bitless bridle (Micklem Bitless Bridle).