HOY Nominee: Orak d’Hamwyck

Longines EEF Series Newsroom

Report: Emily Bevan
Images: Grand Prix Media / Pixels Events

It was love at first sight for Frederic Vernaet when he saw Orak d’Hamwyck, the now 10-year-old Belgain Warmblood, jump in the three-year-old class in Mechelen.

“He was this eye-catching, big, beautiful stallion who had so much scope and a great technique over the fences. There were about 40 horses in the class but he stood out to me. He was outstanding – I’d never seen a young horse jump like that,” says Frederic.

“His breeders, Danny Vergauwen and Kathleen van Impe, didn’t want to sell him at that point so we followed his results as he progressed through the four-, five- and six-year-old classes. We jumped at the chance to buy him when we had the opportunity as a seven-year-old.”

Frederic purchased Orak d’Hamwyck, who is the son of the renowned showjumping stallion Tobago Z and out of Kamira D’Hamwyck, together with his father-in-law Luc Tilleman and moved him to T&L Stables where they are based.

“We took our time with him and for the first two years we combined jumping at smaller shows with his breeding duties. He needed time to develop his confidence and gain experience and now I feel like he can jump any jump. This is the first season where he has been solely focusing on jumping,” continues Frederic.

The pair made their Longines EEF Nations Cup debut at Luxembourg where they produced a double clear to help the Belgian team to victory and also contested the Longines EEF semifinals in Deauville. This year they have also enjoyed success in the 3* Grand Prix in St Tropez where they finished fifth and the 3* Grand Prix in Cabourg where they were third.

“I never have to think about him having a pole which means my job as a rider isn’t that difficult, I just have to make sure I give him the correct distance into the fence, he does the rest. He’s the biggest talent,” says the Belgian rider.

Not only is Orak d’Hamwyck a star in the ring but he is also a pleasure to have around the yard. Frederic describes him as ‘sweet-natured’ and ‘easy to handle’ and he is turned out in the field next to his other horses.

“Orak is a very nice character, he doesn’t behave like a normal stallion and anyone can look after him. He’s a nice type, is extremely careful and has an unbelievably good mentality. He can be a little bit lazy at home but he loves the atmosphere at shows and always wants to do well. I only have positive things to say about him,” explains Frederic.

Orak d’Hamwyck’s groom Ilse van Broekhoven also enjoys a special bond with the stallion.

“Wherever I’m working with Orak at a show, whether it’s in the stable or outside or when we take him to the truck, he is always the same. He is always busy with the person next to him and he will follow wherever you go. He likes that someone is taking care of him and loves him. In my eyes Orak is one of the prettiest and smartest horses around,” says Ilse.

“When I get back after being away at a show without him, I always stop by his stable to give him a treat or a carrot. He’s always there with his face outside watching for me when I come round the corner. It feels that he likes me and he wants to see me and that’s a really nice feeling.”

“Orak really likes to eat apples and carrots but his favourite is a pear. When he smells one or sees that I am eating one he always comes to the door and tries to persuade me to give him some. It’s funny to see his face in that moment.”

Frederic is aiming to make the step up to 5* with Orak next year and is hoping their impressive results will continue.

“It means a lot to have a horse like him in my stables. You can only compete at the big shows if you have a horse like him. He’s given me the opportunity to ride for my country in Nations Cups and to have some amazing experiences. I’ve never ridden a horse who has the quality he has. He makes my life very easy and I’m lucky to have him in my stables,” concludes Frederic.