The side-saddle high jump world record has been officially recognised, seven years after Ireland’s Susan Oakes achieved the phenomenal feat.

Susan cleared a 6’8” (2.03m) puissance wall on her stallion SIEC Atlas at the Equestrian Sports Training Facility in Blanchardstown, near Dublin, on 24 October 2013.

She had contacted Guinness World Records in 2012 to tell them of her plans for the world record attempt, but had been told it only recognises the greatest height cleared by a horse, not whether they were ridden astride or sideways.

“I had a phone call about seven weeks ago out of the blue from the Guinness World Records to say they’ve been following me for the last seven years,” Susan told H&H today (2 November).

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