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Amanda Kettlewell
EQUINE STUD MANAGER
Andrew Kettlewell
FARM MANAGER
OSO STUD:
387 Knox Road
Table Top NSW 2640
POST:
PO Box 95
TABLE TOP
LAVINGTON
NSW 2640
Amanda Kettlewell
EQUINE STUD MANAGER
Uncompromising in her commitment and pursuit of excellence,
Amanda’s passion for OSO Arabians knows no bounds.
Born in the UK, Amanda came to Australia in 2008 to manage the OSO Arabian Stud for Linda Mars as her Equine Stud Manager; and with more than 30 years’ extensive equine experience, she provides OSO Arabians with a clear vision for the future.
From overseeing all breeding and training, as well as riding herself, Amanda’s role incorporates managing the entire stud, guiding and inspiring all of our team and, caring for all our horses living on the farm.
Amanda's equine background began at local pony club on her part bred Arab ponies Jasmia and Muffin. Following a period working in the racing industry, she went on to study at Berkshire Agriculture College, England where she qualified in Equestrian Business Management and as a BHS riding instructor. As well as teaching, Amanda’s love of Endurance, Performance, Eventing and Show Jumping continued to grow and saw her representing her riding club at national level.
Since coming to Australia, Amanda has gradually built an exceptional and driven team; one that is not only fully committed to achieving OSO Arabian’s long term goals, but all of whom are equally passionate about becoming the very best at what they do.
Testament to her successful formula is winning the 50th Anniversary Tom Quilty endurance ride in 2015 (Ben Hudson & Cap Braveheart), together with a growing number of significant accolades in various disciplines on both the national and international stage.
Believing that every day is a new day of learning, Amanda continues to hone her skills and master her craft as an exceptional horsewoman.
Her ultimate goal is to take OSO to the next step by becoming a renown international Centre of Excellence; not just in breeding and training horses, but by working closely with young people from all walks of life, to provide them not only with a core foundation and understanding of the equestrian world and educating them in excellent horsemanship, but also to equip them with the fundamental life skills they will need for their future.
Amanda’s other passion is providing a loving home and being devoted super mum to her two beautiful children, Poppy and Jack.
Following in her mother’s footsteps and a chip off the old block, Poppy is very much an aspiring young horsewoman in her own right. Having successfully competed in numerous Endurance rides and, having already achieved 2018 Australian Junior Champion One Horse (OSO Nicholas) One Rider (Poppy Kettlewell), 2019 NSW Junior State Champion, she is very much an integral part of TEAM OSO.
Meanwhile, younger brother Jack is also fully embracing the stud farm way of life, as well as emulating the Kettlewell family career path having begun to formally learn to ride, whilst maintaining the mantle of loyal Team OSO mascot at all our Endurance Ride competitions.
Andrew Kettlewell
FARM MANAGER
A relentless problem solver, Andrew is dedicated to making a difference where it matters most.
As OSO Arabians Farm Manager, Andrew’s role involves him managing our cattle stud and overseeing the day to day operations of our impressive 4000 acre farm that comprises four properties – Kelkette Park, Longerenong, Sunrise Park and Eastgate – which together make up Mintor LLC.
Born and bred on the Jerilderie plains, educated at Scots School Albury and Marcus Oldham College and following a five-year stint working in the UK, Andrew returned to Australia in 2008 to join Amanda in managing Linda Mars’ OSO Arabian Stud as her Farm Manager.
With over 25 years’ in agriculture, Andrew contributes a wealth of knowledge and experience in both farming and endurance riding to the business; which is further highlighted by OSO’s continued successes on the national and international stage, not least by winning the 50th anniversary of the Tom Quilty endurance ride in 2015 (Ben Hudson & Cap Braveheart), together with numerous other accolades in various disciplines.
Very much a dedicated and hardworking team player, one of the most valuable contributions Andrew brings to his role is loyalty and a driving passion for the continued long-term success of OSO Arabians. He has exceptionally high standards, tremendous attention to detail, a cool head when under pressure and, an enthusiastic willingness to embrace change by learning new skills and technologies.
Andrew has long-held a passion for all things ‘Australian’ and our Australian representative teams, no matter the discipline. To this day, one of his proudest moments was as a crew member of the Australian Endurance Equestrian Team at the 2014 Alltech FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy – inspiring him to go on to become Chef d’Equipe for the Australian Equestrian Endurance Team - a role he was honoured to fulfill for 4 years from 2015 – 2019.
Meanwhile, Andrew is also a devoted family man and awesome dad to his two amazing children, Poppy and Jack.
Daughter Poppy continues to be an aspiring young horsewoman in her own right and, having successfully competed in numerous Endurance rides, with the 2018 Australian Junior Champion One Horse (OSO Nicholas) One Rider (Poppy Kettlewell), 2019 NSW Junior State Champion under her belt, she is very much a significant part of TEAM OSO.
In the meantime, Jack is also fully embracing the stud farm way of life by enthusiastically learning as much as he can on the farm as well as emulating the Kettlewell family career path having begun formally learning to ride – all this whilst maintaining the mantle of loyal Team OSO mascot at all our Endurance Ride competitions.
Heath Rowbottom
EQUINE STUD & PERFORMANCE TEAM SUPERVISOR
With a life-long passion for the Arabian horse and driven by success,
Heath’s unwavering dedication to his craft brings out the best in everyone.
A renowned horse trainer in his own right, and with numerous accolades in the Show Performance circuit, Heath brings a wealth of knowledge, considerable experience and expertise to OSO as our Equine Stud & Performance Team Supervisor.
Originally from Victoria’s western district and growing up in Echuca on the Murray River, Heath was born into the horse world and soon developed a passion for all things horse-related; with this later becoming his driving force to seek out as many opportunities to develop and further his career as possible.
Having already achieved multiple Australian Champion and Reserve titles with some outstanding horses, together with 4 South East Queensland Young Stock of the year with 4 different horses over 5 years, Heath continues to demonstrate both his dedication and determination in his pursuit of excellence; and, whilst at the top of his field, he remains magnanimous, recognising that there is always room to improve, evolve and learn more.
After initially being called upon by Amanda to help with the presentation of SDA Silver Legend at the 2016 Australian Crabbet Convention in Melbourne, followed by various visits to OSO as a mentor and coach assisting with stallion, foal handling, and team workshops, we were delighted when Heath finally joined our OSO family on a fulltime basis in early 2019.
Heath’s role as Equine Stud Supervisor, sees him providing invaluable 2IC support to Amanda, with his focus being on the stud side of our business. This includes overseeing our breeding program, show training, horse sales, staff coaching on stud work, and in general, providing enormous support to the team across the board, to ensure we continue to achieve our goals.
With a passion for producing horses to achieve the highest level of success in their field, Heath is committed to fulfilling Linda and Amanda’s aspirations to continue breeding the most exceptional Arabian horses through our first-class breeding program, and further developing the diversity and versatility of the Arabian breed; also encompassing our derivative breeding program, which enables us to continue breeding some of the best derivative horses in Australia.
As Performance Team Supervisor (and 'Show Daddy'!), in less than a year since our Performance team was formed, Heath’s invaluable contribution to the team was already evident; with the new team bringing home some 40 titles at both State and National level including Champion Led and Ridden Purebred Mare; Supreme Youth Anglo; Champion Led Derivative Gelding; Champion Stockhorse; and numerous versatility awards that encompasses everything we aspire to.
Through all this, despite notable personal successes in the arena, Heath remains humble, constantly inspired by the diversity of the world around him, and enjoying learning to see life through the lens of our younger generation. It is obvious that Heath is immensely proud to be a part of the OSO family, fully embracing the opportunity to nurture and guide our younger OSO team members and generously passing on his knowledge and wisdom where he can.
Heath is the genuine article. Not only is he a great friend to us all, he is also a real asset to OSO in helping us continue to realise our ultimate goals.