Olympic eventer Tina Cook broke her point-to-point training duck on Saturday (27 April) when Peplum won at the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray.
Peplum, owned by Heart of the South syndicate group, won the ladies’ open under Hannah Grissell.
The pair beat the 4-7 favourite Mount Sandel.
“A win has been a while coming, so it’s nice to get first one on the board,” Olympic team silver medallist Tina told H&H.
“Being on the ground rather than in the saddle has taken some getting used to, but I’m enjoying being involved with something other than eventing and having a different perspective.”
Tina started training last year at her West Sussex base. She’s long been working with her brother National Hunt trainer Nick Gifford, riding out and helping with the youngsters.
Ten-year-old gelding Peplum was formerly in training with Gary Moore, where he won four times.
“We are absolutely delighted with the win and delighted for Tina, who has worked wonders,” said a spokesman for Heart of the South.
“Peplum ran encouragingly on his first two starts but couldn’t handle the softer conditions that followed. He relished the decent ground at Parham however and is obviously a spring horse. Hannah rode a brilliant race too and Peplum looked to really enjoy himself and never looked like getting beaten. It was a great day.”
Tina says the horse is now aimed at the hunter chase meeting at Fontwell on 16 May.
For more don’t miss this week’s H&H (Thursday 2 May).
Photo by Jeannie Knight.
