Townend's triumphant four
Horse & Hound|August 27, 2020
All sorts of records are broken as international eventing restarts in Britain, with five packed days of sport in Northumberland
PIPPA ROOME
Townend's triumphant four

Burgham, Northumberland

OLIVER TOWNEND was the dominant force at Britain’s first international horse trials of the restarted season, winning four of the seven international sections – the most ever won by one rider in one weekend.

The AW Jenkinson CCI4*-S sections boasted huge, incredibly high-class fields. Records tumbled as fast as the rain showers started and ceased, with eight of the 10 best four-star dressage scores at Burgham recorded this year. Oliver’s 21.4 for a flawless test on Ballaghmor Class headed section L from the start.

There were two favourites in this section, with 2018 winner Ballaghmor Class joined at the top of the billing by another grey in Kitty King’s 2019 victor Vendredi Biats. But a couple of mistakes in the dressage, among excellent work, put Kitty fourth, and with a rolled pole in the showjumping and three seconds over the cross-country time, she finished fifth.

Meanwhile, Ballaghmor Class cruised to victory, accruing just a couple of penalised seconds in both jumping phases. At 13, Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s son of Courage continues to improve.

“He’s been ridden on the flat maybe half a dozen times since March, he’s just been hacking about and under no pressure,” said Oliver. “He didn’t come here to win, just to remind him he’s not retired. Between fences one and two, I thought I wouldn’t go any faster and if it was good enough to win, so be it.”

This story is from the August 27, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 27, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORSE & HOUNDView All
A fitting finale
Horse & Hound

A fitting finale

Tessa Waugh relates the second part of her husband's final day hunting hounds, which looked to be a hip flask tasting session until the proverbial three o'clock offered one last hurrah

time-read
2 mins  |
March 28, 2024
'What a day to be Irish'
Horse & Hound

'What a day to be Irish'

One nation is looking stronger than ever, but there is disappointment for the Brits in a thrilling second leg of the new-look League of Nations

time-read
5 mins  |
March 28, 2024
The ultimate all-rounder
Horse & Hound

The ultimate all-rounder

Romeo gave Robert Walker his love of showing - and hunting, with a five-mile point and an eight-mile hunt in the afternoon one memorable Boxing Day

time-read
2 mins  |
March 28, 2024
Bouncing, bonny - and sound
Horse & Hound

Bouncing, bonny - and sound

H&H's hunting editor Catherine Austen is delighted to report that her horse has finished the season in fine form, and takes a look at the future

time-read
2 mins  |
March 28, 2024
'Will there be any riding schools left?'
Horse & Hound

'Will there be any riding schools left?'

Pammy Hutton on the current challenges faced by the equestrian industry

time-read
3 mins  |
March 28, 2024
New competition to replace Aachen's FEI Nations Cup
Horse & Hound

New competition to replace Aachen's FEI Nations Cup

The venue will host its own elite team dressage competition instead

time-read
1 min  |
March 28, 2024
Seven Badminton champions on this year's event entries list
Horse & Hound

Seven Badminton champions on this year's event entries list

Seven former winning riders are due to start, but no previous equine victors are on the list

time-read
2 mins  |
March 28, 2024
Blair lost as concerns grow for eventing in Scotland
Horse & Hound

Blair lost as concerns grow for eventing in Scotland

Blair Castle Horse Trials will run for the 35th and last time this summer, sparking concerns for eventing in the region

time-read
2 mins  |
March 28, 2024
A risk to horse health: warning against importing unauthorised medication
Horse & Hound

A risk to horse health: warning against importing unauthorised medication

Illegally imported equine drugs have been seized by the relevant authorities in four recent cases

time-read
2 mins  |
March 28, 2024
Protect your pocket
Horse & Hound

Protect your pocket

Insurance is a big monthly hit, but small tweaks can lower your premium. Sarah Isaacs finds out how to save costs appropriately

time-read
6 mins  |
March 28, 2024