In UK you can cloud fly a glider without an AH. Its not too hard flying in cloud with T&S, compass, vario, ASI and altimeter - I did it several times there. Yes the AH makes it a doddle but short excursions are no problems. If you read old gliding books some height records were made in CB's without an AH. Icing or structural failure or a mid air collision meant we had a parachute as backup though.
Good achievement by her but wish it was in a Gypsy Moth not an American trainer!