Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Libby Law.
For the third time, World Number One Oliver Townend has made it to the final hurdle of the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which has only ever been won by two riders, and for the third time, his quest has ended in disappointment. Just a week and a half after taking the Kentucky title with nine-year-old Cooley Rosalent, and following on from a decisive victory in last year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with the seasoned warhorse Ballaghmor Class, Oliver has announced this afternoon that he will not contest this week’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials, at which he was one of the hot favourites to take the win with his Burghley winner, who has finished in the top five multiple times at the Gloucestershire fixture. Oliver had already withdrawn his other two entrants, Cooley Rosalent – who instead went to Kentucky – and Tregilder.
The decision comes after a notable withdrawal before the dressage for the 17-year-old gelding from the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market, where Oliver historically runs his horses to time after withdrawing them before cross-country at their first four-star outing at Thoresby (or Belton, as it was previously). This, it appears, came as the result of a poorly-timed abscess that has derailed the three-time five-star winner’s preparation.
“Absolutely gutted to withdraw Ballaghmor Class from this week’s Badminton Horse Trials,” writes Oliver in a statement on his social media. “He had [an] abscess earlier in the season and consequently missed a couple of runs and gallops. This morning he went for his final gallop and with the 11&1/2 [minute] cross country course combined with the possible soft ground we don’t feel he’s at his normal 5* fitness right now. This is the first time in his career he’s missed a 5* and with the Rolex Grand Slam being at stake (for the 3rd time for me!) and Thomas’s record with 10 top-5 placings at 5*, 4 of which from Badminton including twice 2nd place, and his 3 wins at Burghley and Kentucky, we really hoped he would finally get the Badminton trophy he so badly deserves.”
To ‘Thomas’s’ legion of fans, Oliver offers some reassurance: “He’s fit and well, and knowing his huge heart he’d give us his all, but it’s simply not in his best interest to run this week and his welfare is our top priority,” he continues. “Thomas will be rerouted to plan B but for now we’d like to give a huge thanks to his owners, our sponsors and our team who are all equally gutted but support us to make this call to look after our superstar.”
This week’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials will see 71 combinations battle for the crown, following today’s last-minute withdrawal of Laura Collett’s Bling, too.
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