THE news that the Guinness World Records has this week officially recognised her side saddle high jump feat has been described as a “game changer” by Susan Oakes.

“For me this is the equivalent of Olympic gold. I want to own it, celebrate it and cherish it,” a grateful Oakes told The Irish Field this week. Coincidentally, it was on this date – October 24th – when she and SIEC Atlas set the record of 2.03m (6 ft 8in) at Abbottstown in 2013.

Guinness World Records, previously known as the Guinness Book of Records, was first published in 1955 and, according to the annual reference book, the current high jump record was established in 1949. Chile’s Capt. Alberto Larraguibel Morales set this record in Santiago when his horse Huaso cleared 2.47m (8 ft 1.25 in).

Susan, who credits Australian horsewoman Esther Stace, who jumped 6’6” at the Sydney Royal Show in 1915, as her inspiration, had hoped her own 2013 high jump record would also be recognised. “Back in 2013 I contacted the Guinness Book of Records to see if they would verify and recognise my attempt. Unfortunately they only had a category for the ‘highest jump by a horse’, whether it was ridden by man, woman or child, frontwards, backwards or side saddle, so that was really disappointing.”

Seven years later, this has finally happened. “Six weeks ago, out of the blue I got a phone call from Guinness World Records and was shocked when they said they wanted to verify and recognise my record, due to all the support it has received worldwide.

“Over the last six weeks, I had to supply video and photo footage, witness statements, etc. This week they contacted me to say that I am an official Guinness World Records title holder for the highest jump by a horse ridden side saddle,” said an ecstatic Oakes.

Since she took up the art of side saddle, the Meath woman has set up a number of other high jump records including the triple bar (1.95m) and pony (1.35m) with SIEC Oberon and Bobby Sparrow Blue respectively.

Oakes also took part in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Boston two years ago with the borrowed Connemara Tower’s Hill Breeze, the Calgary Stampede and was the inaugural winner of the Diana’s Chase, all side-saddle.