Oliver Townend

ODT Himself

Age: 28

Location: Ellesmere, Shropshire

Other interests: Running, skiing, going on holiday

Favourite Eventing moment: Winning Badminton

What is your favourite one day event? Gatcombe

What is your favourite International event? Boekelo

Which four team members would be in your multi-national fantasy Olympic eventing team? Myself, Andrew Nicholson, Michael Jung & Mark Todd

Website: Click here

Facebook fan page: Click here

Essential piece of kit: My Point 2 Air Jacket

People and horses who inspire me: Mark Todd & Michael Whitaker

Biog:

Oliver inherited his love of horses from his parents. His dad,competed in three-day eventing, while his mum showed side saddle at county level. Oliver began riding when he was 7 years old. His first success came when he was 11, with his pony Cool Mule at the Horse of the Year Show, and at 13 he went on to represent Britain on the pony eventing team at the European Championships. Oliver quickly moved through the ranks and for three years was stable jockey to British Team Trainer, Kenneth Clawson in Leicestershire.

Oliver Townend and Flint Curtis won their first CCI**** at Badminton 2009. Oliver also went on to win in the same year Burghley CCI**** on his other top grey horse, Carousel Quest, owned by Andrew Cawthray. I doing so Oliver joined an elite group of riders who have won back to back Badminton and Burghley titles. He duly finished that season at the top of the British Eventing points table for the first time, having previously been top British rider.

This year, alongside his Express Eventing qualification which will see him compete at the Horse of the Year Show, Oliver has had wins at numerous CCI *** ‘s including Burnham Market International, Chatsworth International, Belton Park and Tattersalls in Ireland. The same day he qualified for this Express Eventing Final he competed in and won the British Novice Championship at the Festival of Briitish Eventing, Gatcombe Park.