Sacha Hourigan and Goldenheart Finlay
Sacha Hourigan had a good day on Saturday at Chilham Castle (1), winning the BE90 Section B riding Will She Be Dun and finishing second on Twice As Nice IV
She was back again on Sunday, riding Goldenheart Finlay who is destined to be a 1* schoolmaster for a friend, when we discovered there was a big family connection going on, not just with all the family helping Sacha out but also amongst the horses
On Sunday Sacha took eighth place in the Novice Section P on Willy Be Dun, who is the brother to Will She Be Dun, who are both out of Sacha’s past 4* (read 5* now) mare, I've Been Dun.
Not only are these two siblings competing but it turns out that Twice As Nice IV is a twin to Pretty Cool UK who Sacha was also competing here and finished sixth in the BE100 Section J …
Sacha Hourigan
Tina Cook and Mexican Rose (above), quickly followed on course by Isabelle Cook on Kealdearra Clover (below). Look at that lower leg position!
Another strong family connection was that of well-known British eventer Tina Cook who was chased around the Novice course by her daughter Isabelle. Isabelle. Isabelle was competing Kealdearra Clover in the Open Novice U18, amongst other classes, finishing in 11th place and she followed her mum riding Mexican Rose in the Novice Section P, giving spectators a chance to see the similar ‘Cook cross country style’!
Mum and daughter swap notes after the show jumping
Tom Jackson won the Novice Section P riding Ask For Manchier on a score of 29.1, a few penalties ahead of second placed Sam Sweeney (34) and Francis Whittington on Monbeg Malvo (36.5), a chestnut gelding who behaves like ‘a chestnut mare’, according to Francis. Despite Monbeg Malvo’s quirks, Francis loves riding the seven year old by Harlequin Du Carel
Francis, who had four top 5 placings from five rides, and Monbeg Malvo
Leilia Paske and Fernhill First Friend (above) won the Open Novice Under 18, finishing on their dressage score of 30.3 while the leaders after dressage and show jumping, Katie Hale and Killacoran Blue, were relegated to second place when they added 5.6 time penalties on cross country (below)
Georgina Woods and Greenvale Hudson won the Novice Section Q on their dressage score of 30
A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers at a chilly Chilham, who came well equipped, including hot water bottles!
