WE wouldn’t normally cover a training class in our reports of Eventing Ireland fixtures, but do so on this occasion as the three-runner EI100 (T) at Hazeldene last Saturday was won by Tegan White’s former three-star ride, Texan Style.
Now 19 years of age, the skewbald Irish Sport Horse gelding won in the hands of Maria Carr who is very much a part of the White McMorrow family.
“Maria, who is a student at DIT, works for us, babysitting and riding horses in the summer,” revealed Tegan, who finished sixth of 21 in the EI90 on the five-year-old Pointilliste gelding Peregrine Point, who was having his second affiliated start.
“She lives in Coleraine, her parents are vets and she’s a great member of the Maddybenny team.
“As Maria is 20, she’s not old enough to do amateurs, but is too old for the EI100 (J), so the only class for them is the unregistered 100, as I think Texas would have to go hors concours in the normal 100. Texas is teaching Maria a lot and he’s having a great time finding the 100s so easy. I actually love watching him and hearing the commentators talking about him, as it’s all so complementary and they love him too.”
Tegan hasn’t completely handed over the ride on Texan Style as, competing as an AA amateur, she partnered him to finish fifth of 140 in a 1.10m class at the recent National Balmoral Championships.