Twilight Finnegan - Lovely WB schoolmaster eventer

TWILIGHT FINNIGAN

Proudly presented by Performance Horse Sales AU NZ

All enquiries to PHS — 0428 239 317 | performancehorsesales.com.au

Expression of Interest: performancehorsesales.com.au/eoi

Height: 15.2hh

Age: 18 (end of this month)

Gender: Gelding

Colour: Seal brown

Breed: Australian Warmblood (D: Twilight Satine X S: Smithfields Rio)

Discipline: Eventing

Rider suitability: Novice to junior/young rider under regular professional instruction

Location: Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT

Please see Owner's Response Certificate for full details.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS

Winner - Wagga Narrandera Horse Trials - 2026 - Junior 65cm

Winner - Sydney Spring Classic Eventing - 2026 - Junior 80cm

Winner - Canberra Autumn Horse Trials - 2025 - Junior 65cm

Winner - Canberra Spring Horse Trials - 2025 - 95cm

6th place - Canberra Spring Horse Trials - 2024 - CCI1*

9th place - Wandin Horse Trials - 2024 - 95cm

Winner - Sydney 3DE - 2023 - 95cm

Winner - Sydney Spring Classic Eventing - 2023 - 95cm

Winner - Yass Dressage Pointscore - 2023 - Preliminary/Novice

2nd place - Canberra Autumn Horse Trials - 2023 - 95cm

Winner - Queanbeyan Show - 2023 - 6-Bar

2nd place - Harden Horse Trials - 2022 - 80cm

Reserve Champion - Canberra Dressage - 2022 - Novice Young Rider

Introduction:

Twilight Finnigan, known as Finn, needs little introduction to the regional eventing community, with consistent wins and a fabulous record of helping different riders succeed. His last four eventing starts have produced four wins with three riders: at 95cm with his owner, at 65cm with a junior competing at her first event, then at 65cm with another junior who had ridden him only a handful of times. That same junior then stepped up to 80cm with Finn and won again.

A compact, highly educated 15.2hh Australian Warmblood, Finn is a proven schoolmaster with plenty to offer a junior, young rider or amateur. He is best suited to a home where he can help his next rider learn the ropes, build confidence and enjoy competing at 65–80cm.

Education, skills and experience:

Finn has current eventing and dressage registrations and an extensive competition record, including multiple wins from 65–95cm and placings up to CCI1*. He has a solid flatwork foundation, works in a soft, light contact and willingly collects.

He carries that education into accurate showjumping and confident cross-country rounds at a level where he is comfortable. While Finn has competed successfully at higher levels, 65–80cm eventing is his best fit, as he can lose confidence when overfaced.

Finn has been regularly trail ridden alone and in company in busy environments, including roads, rivers, construction activity, bikes and dogs. His regular outings have even included riding along the back of Canberra Zoo.

His education and experience make him a valuable option for a rider interested in Interschool, Pony Club, Adult Riding Club, dressage or lower-level eventing.

General demeanour under saddle:

Under saddle, Finn is willing, responsive and adapts to his rider. He is suitable for novices under instruction, while offering an experienced rider the benefit of his established education. He is soft in the bridle, tolerant of rider mistakes and willingly does as he is asked.

Finn does not display any ridden vices. His owner describes him as generally relaxed and unflappable, although he can react to a significant disturbance. Please see the Owner’s Response Certificate for more information.

Current workload / fitness:

Finn is currently in work three or more times per week and is actively competing. He is reliable to hop on after a spell and benefits from variety in his ridden program to keep him supple and fit.

Handling:

On the ground, Finn is unflappable and easy to catch, lead, groom, saddle, wash and handle for the vet and farrier. He self-loads and travels well, with a preference for an angle-load float or truck.

Feeding and management:

Finn is straightforward to manage. He receives small hard feeds, increased when pasture is low, plus hay as needed. He has been kept in a large mixed herd for the past six years and is well behaved and respectful at the top of the herd.

Finn is happiest in a large paddock and is not suited to being primarily yarded or stabled around the clock. He has been wormed regularly on a three-monthly schedule throughout his current ownership.

Medical history:

His owner reports no issues affecting his performance and describes him as “serviceably sound for his age and occupation”. Buyers are welcome to commission a full pre-purchase examination.

Rider suitability:

Finn suits a novice, junior, young rider or amateur receiving regular professional instruction who wants to learn from an educated and competitive schoolmaster. His recent results demonstrate his ability to help juniors enjoy their first event and progress successfully through the lower levels.

His ideal home will focus on 65–80cm eventing, alongside dressage and varied riding. He can lose confidence when overfaced, so his next rider should be happy to enjoy his strengths at these heights.

Finn would be a wonderful addition to a family wanting a polished, well-educated horse with proven results and the experience to help a developing rider learn and enjoy the sport.

Reason for sale:

Finn’s owner is progressing a young horse and does not have the time, funds or space to keep three horses. This is an emotional sale of a much-loved schoolmaster who still loves his job and has so much to give his next rider.