Breeding,raising,training and competing outstanding Hanoverian horses
What's Happening at Oakwood Farms
American Hanoverian Society Annual Meeting
This year's AHS Annual Meeting was tons of fun and learning with the bonus of delightfully warm weather down in Houston, TX. Highlights of the weekend included keynote speaker Maren Schlender of the Hannoveraner Verband and clinician Lilo Fore presenting her educational symposium 'Training and Development Up the Levels – From Training Level to Grand Prix' with six lovely horse rider pairs. A real highlight of the clinic was seeing Donna Nobless (Don Nobless x Wroyal Abbey / Widmark) and her owner/rider Gabrielle DeRossi who have become such a wonderful team!
The night finished with the awards banquet which saw many awards for current Oakwood Farms horses as well as horses bred at the farm or started under saddle in our program. A list of the awards can be found in the post below but a huge congratulations to all! Finally, we are so incredibly proud to announce that Oakwood Farms owner/breeder/trainer (yes, she wears many hats!) Meg Williams has been awarded the AHS Breeder of Excellence Award at Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels! It has been a wonderful journey in breeding to get to this point and we are so thankful for all of the owners of these horses for their support through the years helping to make the program a success.
If you weren't able to make it to the meeting this year, we highly encourage you to attend in future years! It was fun of fun and education as well as catching up with old friends and meeting new ones!
2025 AHS Annual Awards!
Dina
Sirena HTF
The 2025 Annual Awards for the American Hanoverian Society have been announced and we could not be more thrilled for all the recipients - especially those coming through the Oakwood Farms program!
Woltare (Widmark x Royal Princess / Rotspon) and Fuerst Love (Fuerst Belissaro x Wicked Lady / Widmark) ranked in the top 3 for Mare Performance Test scores and the Engler-Friedlaender Memorial Trophy (awarded for highest MPT score). Both horses were bred by Meg Williams and started under saddle at Oakwood Farms. We were delighted to work with these mares and present them for their owners at their Mare Performance Tests.
The Hartwig Memorial Trophy is awarded to the "Best North American Bred Young Mare" as determined by the best combined score from Studbook Inspection and Mare Performance Test for three and four year old mares. Four of the top six horses for this award were started under saddle and presented by Oakwood Farms for their Inspection and MPT. Fuerst Love (Fuerst Belissaro x Wicked Lady / Widmark), bred by Meg Williams, was reserve champion, followed by Honorine KFX (Herzensdieb x Sole Fiore KFX / Scuderia), bred by Kevin and Melinda Kelly, Woltare (Widmark x Royal Princess / Rotspon, bred by Meg Williams, and Hanalei KFX (Herzensdieb x Capistrana OBX / Contucci), bred by Kevin and Melinda Kelly.
Meg Williams was the breeder of three Gold Medal Foals this year: Dina (Denmark HTF x Downtown Delight / Don Schufro), Frosty (Fabregas x Wroyal Abbey / Widmark), and Secret Bunny (Santos x Bella Crusadore / Baron. Additionally, we would like to congratulate Kokomo (Kaiman x Won Buttercup / Widmark), bred by Marcie Scheskie, for also receiving the Gold Medal Foal award.
Sirena HTF (Sezuan x Qadence HTF / Qredit Hilltop), bred by Hilltop Farm Inc and presented by Oakwood Farms was fourth in 2 Year Old Futurity. Solstice D (Skyline to B x Wild Rose KS / Widmark), bred by Lauren Dearlove, was second in Yearling Futurity as well as the winner of the Dressage at Devon Perpetual Trophy which is awarded to the highest scoring eligible Hanoverian in open breed classes at Dressage at Devon.
Wrenna (Widmark x Regalita / Rascalino), bred by Meg Williams, had a long list of accomplishments this year along with her owner / rider Brenda Zeitler. She received the distinction of Competition Horse, Dressage Mare Star Award - 1 star, and Dressage Mare Star Award - 2 star. To round out her year she was also first place for Fourth Level AA AHS Dressage Awards and third place for Fourth Level Open AHS Dressage Awards.
Wicked Cute (Widmark x Emme / El Bundy), bred by Meg Williams and owned/ridden by Angela Genin, was third place Second Level AA AHS Dressage Awards. Wicked Cute was started under saddle at Oakwood Farms and began her show career with us! Congratulations also go out to Wacation (Widmark x Dedicated / Demosthenes) bred by Nancy Bart and owned/ridden by Megan Ward, for their fourth place Third Level AA AHS Dressage Award.
Sport Horse Breeding saw showcases of horses out of mares by two of our beloved stallions. Solstice D (Skyline to B x Wild Rose KS / Widmark), bred by Lauren Dearlove, was Champion for Weanling and Yearling Fillies. Vector D (Vitalis x Wild Rose KS / Widmark), also bred by Lauren Dearlove, was Reserve Champion for Two & Three Year Old Colts and Geldings. Fein Wine SDSF (Ferdeaux x Flying High / Fabregas), bred by Natalie and Lynn Masin, was fifth place for Weanling & Yearling Colts and Geldings.
Last but most certainly not least, Halifax KFX (Herzensdieb x Capistrana OBX / Contucci), bred by Kevin and Melinda Kelly, was Champion USHJA Hunter 2', USHJA Hunter 2'3", USHJA Hunter 2'6". and USHJA Hunter 2'9" for AHS Hunter/Jumper Awards. Halifax KFX was started under saddle at Oakwood Farms.
A massive congratulations to everyone associated with the lovely horses and a huge thank you to the breeders and owners that allow us to be a piece of the journey with these amazing animals.
Woltare
Frosty
Our SECOND American Hanoverian Society Inspection for 2025
We decided to squeeze one more inspection in this year and of course as luck would have it we chose the first 20-degree day of the year! So cheers to not only quality horses, but ones with exceptional try and temperaments who showed up in full participation mode for the day's activities! We must also thank all the connections with these lovely young horses and everyone who makes the ship run on an inspection day (and every day!).
Woltare (Widmark x Royal Princess/Rotspon), bred by Meg Williams and owned by Janet Higgins, put down the top traditional performance test with an overall 7 in the jump chute, 7.5 in gait scores, and 8.5 in rideability. We are thrilled to have this little superstar here with us - congratulations! Woltare becomes a Premium Mare Candidate.
Solar Flair RR (Negro x Hypatia FFF/Cunningham), bred by Laurie Gamble and recently purchased by Marilyn Coleman, was the top non-Hanoverian mare and laid down the top riding-only performance test! She earned scores of 8 for rideability, walk, and canter for a total score of 7.92 - this is a really super young mare; it has been a joy to have her in our program the past couple years and we can't wait to see what's next for her! Solar Flair RR is now a Premium Mare Candidate.
Bella Crusadore (Baron x Light My Fire/Lauries Crusador), bred by Kerstin Aronis and owned by Meg Williams, was a complete star! Bella is currently in foal for a March baby but was happy to go back under saddle for a few weeks to complete her performance test - truly showing not only her talent but her amazing temperament! She earned scores of 8 for her rideability, walk, and canter, for a total of 7.8. Because she has already produced foals (including this year's Gold Medal Foal), Bella has officially earned her title as aPremium Mare.
DuLayla (Dubarry x Wroyal Wisdom/Widmark), bred by Meg Williams and owned by Mary Anne Medlock, was the top Hanoverian mare. Layla earned lovely scores under saddle, including scores of 8 for her rideability and her walk, for a total of 7.75. She has been a true pleasure to develop and we are thrilled to be able to continue the journey! Layla is now a Premium Mare Candidate.
Last but most certainly not least, Sirena HTF (Sezuan x Qadence HTF/Qredit Hilltop), bred by Hilltop Farm and owned by Meg Williams, was our top futurity. Sirena has an incredibly bright future - we just adore her! She had no score below a 7.5 and earned an 8 for her walk and her general impression. We cannot get enough of this filly and are proud to have her!
AHS Foundation: From Genetics to Grand Prix 2025 Breeder Seminar at Festival of Champions
AHS Foundation hosted a wonderful Breeder Seminar at US Dressage Festival of Champions welcoming breeders and enthusiasts to broaden their knowledge and network. The event included amazing educational opportunities both in the classroom and ringside at the show! Featured speakers at the event were Dr. Ludwig Christmann from Hanoverian Verband and our very own Meg Williams. Thank you to everyone who played a part in organizing this incredible event - if you didn't make it this year, we highly recommend attending next time it is offered!
Left: Meg presenting Conformation Evaluation: Form to Function with My Moment (2010 Fürst Romancier x High Sun / Hotline) owned and ridden by Eleanor Brimmer
Top: Featured speakers and organizers for the event! L to R: Dr Christmann, Dennis Moore, Natalie DiBerardinis, Meg Williams
Team Oakwood Shows at Majestic Farm
Seven horses, five riders, and many wonderful experiences sums up the Oakwood Team's experience at Majestic Farm's August show!
> Mary Troha + Duke Edward (Dubarry x Emme / El Bundy) made his third level debut at his third ever show!
> Mary Troha + Fuerst Dutchess (Fabregas x Wicked Princess / Widmark) was a complete star handling her first ever show! We really love this paring!
> Lori Schroeder + Won Sangria (Widmark x Regalita / Rascalino) made her fourth level debut! Lori has brought Ria along herself and we love helping them develop together.
> Cindy Kidd + Won Lira (Widmark x Drama Queen / Don Frederico) had their second time out at third level with some lovely rides!
> Cassie Goyer + Dumark Augustina (Dubarry x Won Cosmo / Widmark) owned by Madelyn Matlock took on her second ever show with the same character and class she is known for at home. Augy also earned herself High Point awards in Training Level and First Level!
> Marcy Lewis + Kadanz (Governor x Zeizo / Krack C) rode Fourth Level earning Marcy the fourth level scores needed for her Silver Medal and Kadanz High Point award in Fourth Level!
> Marcy Lewis + D'Apiro (Apiro x Tzar's Request / Balta Tzar) rode Third Level earning yet another High Point award in Third Level!
So proud of all our hard working riders and their wonderful horses - fun was had by all! The team would like to thank Meg for training, coaching, and coming to the show the day after a busy AHS Inspection at the farm. Five of these lovely horses were out of the Oakwood Farm breeding program or are direct decedents of horses produced in the Oakwood Farm breeding program!
2025 American Hanoverian Society Inspection
Another wonderful American Hanoverian Society Annual Inspection at Oakwood Farms with Hanoverian Mare Inspections, Non-Hanoverian Mare Inspections, Mare Performance Tests, and numerous Foal Inspections with four Gold Medal Foals! Our Judge was the wonderful Anna Von Holten-Jungheit from Hannover Verband in Germany.
> Hanalei KFX (Herzensdieb x Capistrana OBX / Contucci) owned and bred by Kevin and Melinda Kelly of KFX Farms now has her studbook approval and is a Premium Mare Candidate after a lovely showing in her MPT!'
> Honorine KFX (Herzensdieb x Sole Fiore KFX / Scuderia) owned and bred by Kevin and Melinda Kelly of KFX Farms also her studbook approval and is a Premium Mare Candidate. In addition she earned the High Score for Hanoverian Mare Inspection and Mare Performance Test for the inspection!
> WMA Kentucky Tiki (The Kentuckian x Tikis Destiny / Sambors Destiny), an Arabian mare owned by Sarah Randolph of Telos Farm and bred by Rita Deleon, has been accepted in the Rhineland studbook! She was presented along with her darling filly, Hakuna Matata TF (by Herzensdieb).
> Princesa Ann (Pomatini x Nholsane / Lear Fan), a thoroughbred mare owned by Christa Moncrief and bred by Richard Halter, has also been accepted in the Rhineland studbook and was top Non-Hanoverian Mare Inspection! She was presented along with her incredibly friendly foal, Orbetello's Bugatti (by Orbetello) who was top Rhineland foal.
> A staggering four Gold Medal Foals were awarded: Kokomo (Kaiman x Won Buttercup / Widmark) owned and bred by Marcie Scheskie also Top Hanoverian Filly, Frosty (Fabregas x Wroyal Abbey / Widmark) bred by Meg Williams also Top Hanoverian Colt, Dina (Denmark HTF x Downtown Delight / Don Schufro) owned and bred by Meg Williams, and Secret Bunny (Santos x Bella Crusadore / Baron) owned and bred by Meg Williams.
It was a wonderful day with an even better group of breeders and friends! A huge thank you to all the help that makes this inspection possible: Lisa Baker, Mackenzie Renz, Cassie Goyer, Paige Wilke, Jasmine Green, Viviane Lensky, Stephen Williams, and Dakota Muncy.
Photographer for the day was KRae Photography
Another Bronze Medal Rider at Oakwood Farms
Congratulations to Oakwood Farms friend and student, Dr Cindy Kidd, for earning the scores for her USDF Bronze Medal! Cindy guided her own Won Lira (Widmark x Drama Queen/Don Frederico) at their third level debut to earn the last scores needed for her medal. Lira is Cindy's first dressage horse, and together they have certainly stacked up the awards! Their dedication shows as they turn up at the farm almost every week for lessons in between running a busy veterinary practice. We are super proud of this pair and can't wait to see what's in store for them this year and beyond!
Oakwood Farms goes to National Dressage Pony Cup Breed Show at WEC Ohio!
One of our homebred broodmares, Wroyal Abbey (Widmark x Flair / Fidertanz) and her 2025 colt, Frosty (Fabregas) decided to take on both of their first horse show at the 2025 National Dressage Pony Cup Breed Show and came home with many awards to show for it! These two marched right in like seasoned show horses and we could not be more pleased with either of them!
Wroyal Abbey (77.1%): Frosty (81.025%):
4 Year Old & Older Broodmare - 1st Place Current Year Colt - 1st Place
Mare Championship - Champion Current Year Foal Championship - Champion
Mature Horse Championship - Champion
Grand Championship - Reserve Champion
Frosty is offered for sale and Wroyal Abbey is in foal for a full sibling in 2026! We can't wait to see the professional pictures from the show which we will add to their pages as soon as we can!
The 2025 foals are here!
We are so grateful to have had a smooth foaling season this year welcoming six healthy foals to the farm! The fillies pulled ahead this year beating the colts in a 4 to 2 spread but both colts are abolutely not letting those fillies win as far as quality is concerned!
Welcome Five G (Fabregas x Fara / Fuerst Belissaro colt), Frosty (Fabregas x Wroyal Abbey / Widmark colt), Sweet Stella (Sambuca x Baroness / Baron filly), Dina (Denmark HTF x Downtown Delight / Don Schufro filly), Fairytale Finale (Fabregas x Royal Princess / Rotspon filly), and Special Bunny (Santos x Bella Crusadore / Baron filly)! Check out our sales page to see more photos and make one of these fantastic prospects yours!
Updated! Cindy Ishoy Clinic Dates - October 11-12, December 13-24
Cindy Ishoy is an accomplished equestrian who began riding at age thirteen in Germany and quickly progressed - attending the 1971 Pan Am games just six years later as a member of the gold medal team and placing fourth individually. She has represented Canada in numerous Olympic Games earning a team bronze medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She was the first Canadian to win an international Grand Prix dressage event and has numerous placings in international competition. Cindy has also been the recipient of awards outside the show ring including 2022 Equestrian Canada Lifetime Achievement Award
Cindy has been offering clinics at Oakwood Farms for many years and joins us regularly throughout the year. She is willing to coach horses and riders in a variety of training stages and offers wonderful tools riders can take home to further their training even after their session with Cindy is over.
Contact Meg to inquire about open riding spots. Auditors are welcome.
2025 Show Season has officially begun!
Ffalcon (Fabregas x Wroyal Abbey / Widmark), owned by Brenda Zeitler and ridden by Cassie Goyer, started the 2025 show season for us at Majestic Farm this May. Not only was it our first show of the season but it was also Ffalcon's first show ever! Despite the incredibly wet conditions, he handled everything like a champ - the sky is the limit for this talented horse! Huge thank you to Brenda for allowing us to get his career started for you, we can't wait to see what you two accomplish together!
Oakwood Farms Hosts AHS Judge's Continuing Education
Oakwood Farms was proud to host Maren Schlender from Hanoverian Verband in Germany along with all of the American Hanoverian Society judges for a continuing education seminar. It was two very enjoyable days full of discussion on all things Hanoverian and Rhineland. A huge thank you to everyone at the farm who assisted in preparing and presenting horses for the event as well as the team at Iron Ardour Equestrian who lent a lovely pony for the judges to discuss since the announcement of the new American Hanoverian Riding Pony Studbook which will be included in the AHS Inspection Tour this year! Don't forget - the AHS Inspection at Oakwood Farms will be July 31, 2025 and we can't wait to see everyone there!
Meg Williams: USDF L Program Graduate!
Although we aren't sure where she found the time to do one more thing, we are proud to announce that Meg has graduated from the USDF L Program! With her experience as a rider, trainer, competitor, and AHS Mare and Stallion Judge, Meg brings a wealth of knowledge and unique experience to the role. She is offering her services to judge for schooling shows as availability allows.
Welcome to Our Two New Broodmares!
Oakwood Farms has added two new imported broodmares to our broodmare band! We are very excited to welcome Bella Crusadore (Baron x Light my fire / Lauries Crusador xx) and Baroness (Baron x Rosalie / Royal Blend) to the farm. Both ladies have completed their quarantine after import and are spending the winter making friends with the rest of our lovely broodmares. Bella Crusadore is in foal to Santos for 2025 and Baroness is in foal to Sambuca for 2025. Check both mares out on the Our Mares page or on their individual pages: Bella Crusadore and Baroness. Pictures will be coming - once the weather warms up this Spring!
A fun horse show with many firsts- both experiences and placings!
We headed to Majestic Farm's September schooling show with a few of our youngsters (horse and human!) and boy did everyone have a wonderful time!
D'Arcy (Danciano x Wroyal Abbey / Widmark) and Meg - This was D'Arcy's second show, roughly fifth time off farm and that didn't at all stop her from being amazing! Two solid rides with scores in the 70s - the future is bright for this lady!
Wroyal Phillip (Widmark x Blair / Beltano) and Cassie - Philip's very first horse show and this pair had loads of fun! Philip has a super friendly and fun personalty with the super talent to match which very much showed with their lovely rides!
Dumark Augustina (Dubarry x Won Cosmo / Widmark) and Madelynn - Another horse who really stepped up to the plate for her first ever horse show! Cassie had only lovely things to say for her ability to take it all in and still listen to her rider with another set of solid rides!
Whisper Glory (Widmark x Wilanka / Wittinger) and Anna - Whisper is one of those horses who is worth her weight in gold, and then some! Anna has been working hard with her riding and Whisper was so happy to help Anna show it off with awesome rides and ribbons to show for it!
Bogart GVF (Benicio x Wroyal Heir / Widmark) and Jill - Bogart was pleased to come show off what a truly bright future he has. A lovely horse both in talent and mind - he put in super rides and was super to handle - a total package kinda guy!
We have some close relatives to these amazing horses for sale:
Winfurst Whinnybell - full sibling to Wroyal Philip and a super talent
Dumark Don - full sibling to Dumark Augustina also whose dam (Won Cosmo) is a full sibling to Whisper Glory
If you look closely you will see one very important name in every pedigree here - Widmark. A wonderful showing of his incredible legacy and such a gift to continue to ride his descendants. A once-in-a-lifetime horse in his own right, we are all so lucky to have his genetics so prevalent around the farm.
2024 AHS/ARS Inspection Results!
The 2024 American Hanoverian Society Inspection at Oakwood Farms was a complete success! Thank you to the judges, horse owners, spectators, and farm help for making this year's inspection such an enjoyable event.
Oakwood Farm presented three mares for the Mare Performance Test and Mare Inspection with three wonderful results! Winfurst Whinnybell (Widmark x Blair / Beltano) finished Champion for the mare performance test and is now a Hanoverian Premium Mare Candidate. Fuerst Duchess (Fabregas x Wicked Princess / Widmark) is also now a Hanoverian Premium Mare Candidate after her delightful showing in all phases. Lastly but certainly not least, Fuerstin Flight TF (Fuerst Rousseau x Redrobin/Rienzi) finished as a Hanoverian Premium Mare with her lovely Mare Performance Test and having already produced a foal! Thank you to all three owners for entrusting us to prepare and present your mares!
We also had our five foals presented for inspection and could not be happier with how these babies handled the big change on their home turf! French Vanilla (Fabregas x Fara / Fuerst Belissaro) was awarded Gold Medal Foal and Top Inspection Colt! This is a bit extra special as this is Fara's first foal and as such is the foal that made her a Hanoverian Premium Mare after her Mare Inspection and Mare Performance Test last year.
To finish off the day judge, George P Walker III took the time to present an education piece on 'Mare Conformation and Judging'. George is an experienced judge and was wonderful at breaking down the judging process and explaining scoring. As a little added treat, Fabregas came down to the arena at the very end - which was a delight after seeing so many of his foals earlier in the day then just having learned a bit on judging - it was easy to see what he brings to the table in his offspring!
Check out KRae Photography for photos ~ if anyone brought a horse from Oakwood Farms breeding program we would love to see your photos and post them to our site! Email us at oakwoodfarms@yahoo.com. As always, it was a delight to see everyone and their wonderful horses - thank you all for making our annual inspection such a fun day!