Thermal, Calif. – Nov. 26, 2019 – Spearheaded by Oakland Stables’ newest business partner, Simon McCarthy, alongside owners Darragh Kenny and Hardin Towell, the team is excited to announce the continued expansion of its business operations to now include the western coast of the United States. The newest base, in Southern California, further extends Oakland Stables’ global reach by adding to its current bases in Wellington, Florida, and Meijel, Netherlands. The international operation offers development and sales of high-performance horses along with an elite training program for students of all levels.
“Our idea was to have a facility on both the east and west coast of America as well as in Europe so that we can facilitate clients at every level of the sport,” said McCarthy of the new business venture. “We would like our clients to feel that they could travel to anywhere in the world and still have a part of our team there with them to help train and compete whether it’s under Darragh, Hardin or myself – one of us will always be able to travel to them.”
“Expanding Oakland is something very important to all of us,” added Towell. “We’re doing this because we want to continue to grow ourselves and our business while maintaining our ability to give each student enough time and attention, in addition to our horses and our own careers. Darragh and I have always been open-minded to working with other people like us and Simon is a great addition to our team.”
The California base will place an emphasis on competition at the Desert International Horse Park, which hosts an eight-week 2020 winter circuit in Thermal, California, where McCarthy will train and operate out of the area nearby. The 24-year-old athlete competes internationally, riding for Ireland, and has a long-standing relationship with the team at Oakland Stables after gaining international experience under Kenny.
“I traveled to Europe alongside Darragh as his right-hand man and that experience was what really got me started and where I fell in love with the sport. I was with him for two years and then moved to California where I’ve been there since. I started my own business, of which Darragh was an integral part – I would speak to him on the phone daily and he would give me advice, so throughout the past five years he has probably been one of my best friends and biggest help in the business as well. Any time I had a question about a horse or student, I always had him to go to, so it only made sense in the end that we partnered together and because we were pretty much already doing everything together.”
Oakland Stables’ owner and founder Kenny noted, “We’re all looking forward to this new venture and I am very happy to have someone like Simon become a permanent member of our Oakland team. I know that our clients will be in good hands no matter where they are in the world and I am very confident in the system we share.”
McCarthy will campaign a promising string of horses in Thermal for the upcoming show season, including an impressive 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Eames MZ, that was purchased by himself, Kenny and Towell together. To continue to keep up with Team Oakland as they compete across the globe throughout the upcoming winter circuits, follow our Instagram and Facebook pages.
The expansion of Oakland Stables’ staff and services offers new openings for clients and students at all three bases. Please visit our website and contact carmen@oaklandstables.net to learn more.