Oliver Townend

Hailing from Yorkshire but now based in Shropshire, Oliver inherited his love of horses from his parents. His mother Eve showed side-saddle at county level and his father Alan competed successfully in three-day eventing. His early success was gained on a 14.2hh pony Cool Mule, with whom he won a showjumping final at the Horse of the Year Show and represented Great Britain on the Pony Eventing Team at European Championship level.

In 2005 the Honourable William Russell’s Topping provided Oliver with his first opportunity to ride at Badminton, where he finished in 12th place, earning selection to the FEI European Championships in Blenheim that year. Edward and Robert Nicholson’s Flint Curtis took over as Oliver’s top horse in 2006 after achieving 3rd at Badminton with Oliver – the horse’s first CCI4* (now 5*) event. Oliver remained on the British squad, riding Flint Curtis as an individual at the Aachen World Equestrian Games that year, before earning his first team place – and a European Championship gold medal – at Pratoni del Vivaro in 2007.

Among many international successes, Oliver was triumphant at both of the world’s largest three-day events in 2009, taking the Badminton and Burghley titles. He won Burghley again in 2017 with Ballaghmor Class and lifted the trophy at Kentucky with Cooley Master Class in 2018 and 2019.

Oliver then travelled to Tokyo in 2020 for the Olympic Games finishing fifth, helping the win the team gold medal with a record breaking copmbined low score of 86.3. Oliver has been awarded an MBE to recognise his achievments and services to equestrian sport.