He won both the Natal Derby, and a few weeks later the SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDRENS DERBY in Johannesburg in 2000 on his wonderful CA pony, WALT DISNEY KISSAMMEE. Due to this partnership being so consistent, Oliver received his SANEF South African Children’s colours both in 2000 and again in 2001. He also won the FEI Championship class on KISS in his final year of Children’s. Oliver represented WP, and as a result received his WP colours, for five years in showing, equitation, dressage and showjumping.

In 2002 he started his Junior career and was awarded his WP colours for showjumping on DECIMAL DOLLAR on whom carried his team through. He then had an opportunity to train in England for two English summers, which allowed him to experience and compete on the British circuit as well as county shows. He gained much from the experience the least of which was excellent results and plenty of tickets.

He won the under-16 British show jumping STAR OF THE FUTURE Championship held in Staffordshire at the end of August on his horse, FREDERIK, and had the chance to ride in such presitgious shows as Windsor and the Festival of Show Jumping at Arena UK. On his return to SA he won the JB Championships at the BOE Cape Horse Show in Constantia, Cape Town, on his very quirky and difficult horse NORTHLANDS WILLOW with a blistering double clear.

In 2003 he managed to defend his under-16 British show jumping STAR OF THE FUTURE title, this time on his inexperienced horse, ADDY THE EAGLE. He followed this fantastic win with a 3rd as the sole South African representative in an International Young Riders Show, against 93 competitors from various other nations, in Reims, France. He once again competed at prestigious shows such as Windsor and Arena UK.

In South Africa he received his SANEF South African Junior colours and represented South Africa against Australia and other nations in an international show. He had the honour of being the only competitor to have four clear rounds in the competition. He came 2nd in the SA Derby on his fantastic A grade horse, MANIOLIA, as well as a 3rd with DECIMAL DOLLAR. In the BOE Cape Horse Show in Constantia, Cape Town, he won the B/JA Accumulator on MANIOLIA. Oliver represented THS in their Junior showjumping team at the National Championships at the end of the year in Shongweni and they took gold.

In 2004 Oliver took FREDERIK with him to the Spanish Sunshine Circuit where he won two Small Tour Grand Prix Classes and numerous other classes. He rode a young seven-year-old, CASSIANO Z, who was also placed in all his classes, and this proved to be a wonderful experience for both Oliver and GOOFY as Cassiano Z is affectionately known. Throughout the summer of 2004 Oliver traveled the circuit, attending Valkenswaard Show, Jan Tops now infamous and incredibly prestigious show, in Holland. He won a first in a speed event on a borrowed horses which he had never sat on before, CHAKA D and also got a few tickets on another Dutch horse, LIBERATADOR, when he was given the ride. He placed 2nd in the final day Championships on a young (quite aptly named!) horse, OLIVIER.

Back home Oliver won the South African Medium A Championships at the Easter Show 2004, held at THS, Johannesburg, on his great horse, MANIOLIA. This, coupled with many other successes during the year, resulted in an invite to Mauritius in November as part of the SA team where he was awarded the title of Rider of the Show and at the SA Junior Championships in December he won the award for the Most Stylish Rider of 2004.

2005 was really a great year for Oliver and his horses. We purchased CROCKET 18, a young grey warmblood with the most incredible jump, and Oliver again attended the Spanish Sunshine Circuit and jumped well in the Big Tour. From there it was on to the Italian Young Riders Grand Prix in Arezzo, Italy. He was given the ride of his favourite, CASSIANO Z, for the show and competed him in the Nation’s Cup class along with two other SA team members. His solid rounds kept the team together to come a credible 4th, and as a result he has subsequently bought GOOFY. He had the most spectacular win with CROCKET 18 at the show, beating the Italian Champion and taking the title home of Grand Prix winner.

During the summer he attended various shows, such as Limburg and Valkenswaard in Holland, Torledo and Barcelona in Spain, and the Friendship Event in Herford, Germany, where he had the privilege of having a lesson with the great Ludger Beerbaum. Oliver attended Hickstead and, after a huge qualifying class where he came 2nd, he won and took the title of British Young Rider Champion on GOOFY with a calm and as near-perfect round as one could have in the Main Arena. We were all very proud. They qualified for the Derby Speed Event at Hickstead and had a good round, especially considering as it was their first attempt at an event with such unusual obstacles and only the very best competing. For the rest of the summer he competed locally in UK until he was invited to ride in the Young Riders class at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham, held in October. The class came down to a nail-biting jump off between Oliver with GOOFY and Ellen Whitaker and in the blink of an eye he came 2nd, a great way to finish the season and give his horses a well-earned rest until 2006.

Oliver returned home to SA to catch up with his family and friends. He slotted in a very quick trip to Melbourne, Australia, to compete as one of the SA Young Riders team. Great fun was had by all and they won the competition.