Biography

It is the second visit to Badminton for British rider Sarah Way (34) who is based near Rugby in Warwickshire where she runs a yard with her husband, amateur event rider Ben Way (12^th here on Galley Light in 2016). In 2019 with Badminton entry Dassett Cooley Dun Sarah was 10^th at Pau.

Sarah comes from a family involved in racing and point to pointing although her mother Sue evented successfully at Junior and Young Rider level before turning to racing. Sarah began riding with the Worcestershire Hunt Pony Club and represented the club at the PC Championships in eventing, dressage and tetrathlon as well as gaining her A test. In 2006 Sarah was a member of the British Junior squad competing in Avenches with her first event horse Marienta. In 2012 she was the British Dressage BYRDS A squad champion. After a year in Herefordshire with William Blane FBHS Sarah moved to Warwickshire to produce event horses.

She contested Badminton 2017 with Balladeer Durban Hills but unfortunately was decanted at the sunken road albeit Durban Hills jumped his riderless way home.

Sarah trains with Gareth Hughes, Ros Morgan and Caroline Moore.

Sarah and Ben have two children Millie aged 3 and Poppy aged 7 months. Outside of horses and children currently her favourite occupation is sleeping.

Dassett Cooley Dun (aka Mouse) owned by Kate Willis and Mel Pritchard is a 16-year-old Irish-bred gelding of unknown breeding. He was acquired by his owners 9-years ago. At 15.1 he is one of the smallest horses in the field albeit Sarah says ‘luckily he doesn’t realise how small he is’. He was originally ridden by Haley Wright and Colina Pickles – Sarah took the ride in 2016. Two years later they completed Pau 4* and the following year gained a top 10 finish.