The 2007 show season has come to a close and Oakcrest has much to be proud of:

Belinda made her competition debut with her new horse, Anton, achieving multiple wins at national shows, including a stunning 75% at Fourth Level in Blainville. She also had an excellent season at Prix St. Georges and Intermediare 1 on Grand Marnier, consistently placing in the high 60s.

John began a wonderful season in the FEI ring with the Dutch Warmblood stallion Jacardo. Mid-July, one of his clients was unexpectedly unable to ride her lovely horse Omega. John took over and within a few weeks won the 4th Level Championship at Palgrave. John and Omega's glowing resultscontinued throughout the summer, and peaked with them qualifying and showing successfully at the prestigious Devon Horse Show.

In addition to Belinda and John, the whole barn shared in show ring success this season. Oakcrest students from Training Level right through to Prix St. Georges brought home a basketful of first-place ribbons from every
competition, with marks soaring well into the 70s.

A special congratulations to working student Sarah Hill and her horse on achieving 75% on their first show of the season!

Looking forward, Oakcrest will host a Christilot Boylen clinic in December, Belinda and John will be teaching clinics in Ontario and Quebec, right through to the New Year – and competitors will be seeing much more of John in the judge's booth, as he has just been upgraded to Medium status!

On July 28, a brand new "Oakcrester" arrived on the scene when Belinda, husband Mark and son Matthew welcomed baby Sophie Louise Trussell, weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. and a little beauty! Following a six-week maternity leave, Belinda was back in the saddle when she and John hosted a Christilot Boylen Clinic at Oakcrest in September. In 2007, Christilot looks forward to returning to Oakcrest for a series of highly-anticipated rider development clinics.

Throughout February and March, Belinda will be giving clinics in Ontario and Quebec, and John will be traveling throughout Ontario, as well asinternationally, as a clinician. He will also continue his series of clinics for riders at Ottawa's Kemptville College. In addition, John was among the few elite riders invited to participate in the spectacular Dressage Quadrille at the Royal Horse Show in November. His good news continues, as he was recently informed that he will be upgraded to Medium Judge this season!

A special congratulations to Oakcrest working student, Jacqueline Jacobson, who did a fantastic job at the Ontario Championships, winning both the First Level Championship aboard Simon Cumar, owned by Ruth Shandran with over 70%, and the Second Level Championship with Rubin, (68%) owned by Barbara Hamilton.