When Hilary Scott talks about her horses, her voice softens with genuine affection. None more so than when she speaks of Oaks Milky Way, the grey mare who has been her partner through more than a decade in Europe and who carried her to the Olympic Games in Paris last year.

Advertisement

“She really is the other half of me,” Hilary said. “We bred her in 2007 and I knew from the moment she was a foal that she was going to be special. She had this independence, this confidence, and just so much spirit. I owe Milky everything. She’s taken me to places I only ever dreamt of.”

Hilary remembers those earliest days vividly. “Before she was even weaned, I told Mum there was something different about her,” she said. “She’d march off in her own direction, ears pricked, completely confident, completely sure of herself. She didn’t rely on her dam, she just had this fierce independence and I thought, this foal is going to be something.”

As Milky grew, that strength of character only became clearer. “When we free-jumped her, she showed exactly the same attitude,” Hilary recalled. “There was nothing she didn’t think she could do. I pleaded with Mum to keep her and thankfully she agreed. I broke her in with the help of people we had around at the time, took her to her first competitions, and she just kept proving me right.”

Advertisement

The bond has only deepened since those formative years. “She’s been with me for 17 years now, and for 11 of those we’ve been together in Europe. She’s been my constant. When I say she’s the other half of me, I really mean it.”

The Olympics was a milestone Hilary had chased since childhood, but sharing it with Milky made the moment deeply personal. “It was a dream come true,” she reflected. “At the same time, I wish I had slowed down enough to really take it all in. On the first day I was too focused, and I almost lost the appreciation for where we were. By the time the individual competition came, I reminded myself to look up at Versailles and just breathe it in. To experience something like that with Milky, I’ll never forget it.”

Hilary has spent most of her professional life abroad. After an early introduction to European competition in 2008, she made the move in 2013 and built her base in the Netherlands. The adjustment was not always easy. “It takes time to find the right support system when you’re so far from home,” she explained. “New language, new culture, new networks. There were moments where I wondered if I should return to Australia, but I’m glad I stayed. Eventually it all fell into place.”

Advertisement

Much of that stability came from Oaks Sport Horses, the family breeding and training business founded by her mother, Alice Cameron. “Mum’s vision was always to see the horses she bred competing internationally,” Hilary said. “By bringing them to Europe, we could put them on the international stage, either under me or with other riders, and connect with the right markets.”

The horses bred in Australia have found their way not only into Europe but also into the United States, where the demand for well-produced horses is strong. “The American market is huge,” Hilary explained. “Most horses there are imported from Europe. They want them ready to go, competitive and straightforward. Horses from Australia can absolutely do that job. With the right production and soundness, there’s a real opportunity for Australian breeders to tap into that market.”

Her pride in the program is obvious. “We’re selling, producing and training, but it’s all around the sport,” she said. “We’re building the name and making sure our horses get the right opportunities on the international stage.”

Competing across continents has given Hilary a unique perspective on the sport. “In the US and Canada the atmosphere is vibrant and fun, the spectators are so enthusiastic. In Europe, the crowds are incredibly knowledgeable. At Aachen, for example, they know the exact moments to cheer and they know the riders. Every place has something special. I feel so grateful to have had the chance to ride in both.”

Spruce Meadows in Calgary has become particularly close to her heart. “The first time I came with Milky in 2021, she loved it. The people here are so welcoming, so down to earth, and the tradition of the place is incredible. It’s more than just a show, it’s a community. I knew I wanted to come back for the summer series and the Masters. The exposure for my younger horses is second to none. If they can handle Spruce, they can handle almost anything.”

Advertisement

Looking ahead, Hilary is focused on building horsepower and consistency at the top level. “We did a bit of a reset last year and the goal now is to develop a stronger five-star team. Finding those horses is the biggest challenge, but it’s also the most important step for the future of our business and for keeping Oaks Sport Horses represented at the very top of the sport.”

Through it all, the influence of her mother remains central. “Mum has been incredible. She started breeding more than 20 years ago and never gave up. Her passion and perseverance are the reason I’ve been able to have a horse like Milky. But more than that, she finds joy at every level, whether it’s one of her horses winning a five-star Grand Prix or another happily carrying someone around a 90cm course at home in Australia. That’s the heart of it for her, and that’s what she’s passed on to me. It keeps everything in perspective.”

Above: Hilary Scott and Alice Cameron at Herning 2022.

Hilary admits the journey has not been without its challenges, but resilience has carried her through. “I’d tell my 18-year-old self not to get so disheartened. Everyone has bad days, but consistency is what counts. If you keep pushing, if you’re willing to work, it does come together.”

And at the center of it all is the bond with the horses. “Every new horse motivates me,” she said. “Every round is a chance to learn and to get closer to that feeling when everything comes together. That’s what keeps me going.”

Advertisement