Two identical twin horses each won a BE100 section at Rackham Horse Trials – with a fifth of a penalty between their scores.
Sacha Hourigan rode Caroline Richardson’s Twice As Nice IV (Ernie, pictured above) and Double Act IV (Eric, below) to victory on 16 June, finishing on her dressage scores of 28.8 and 29 respectively.
The twins are by Zenturio and out of Mrs Richardson’s mare Hyanie d’Aubrie, who was first scanned as not in foal, then confirmed as pregnant but one of the embryos was “hiding” behind a cyst.
Double Act
(Image credit: Nigel Goddard)
Luckily, Mrs Richardson was on the scene when “Annie” foaled, and was able to pull Ernie, the second colt, out, as he was “bent double”, saving his life.
Both foals thrived and now the only difference between them is their height – Ernie is 16hh and Eric 16.2hh – and the fact one has a snip on his nose.
“But of course you can’t see the snip on the pictures so we have to put different coloured boots on them so people can tell the difference!” Sacha told H&H.
“It was only Ernie’s second BE100, Eric’s done a few more, but it was a lovely all-round performance by both of them.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Both horses are ridden in the same bit, but Sacha says she tries not to compare them too much.
“People ask me which is better but as a rider, I have to treat them as individuals,” she said.
“Eric is tough and a bit arrogant, and Ernie is tough but might have a bit of a worry. There’s no love lost between them though. I said to Eric [at Rackham] ‘Your brother’s just won’, so he had to do it too!
“You always hope each horse is going to be a top one but these two have got talent, they’re tough, they’re very nice horses, and we’ll see how they go.”
“Several vets have seen them and can’t believe they’re twins as they’re so big and strong,” she said.
“They were a miracle from the word go.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
