Change of plan for Oliver Townend at Badminton Horse Trials

Oliver Townend rides Tregilder at 2023 Burnham Market International Horse Trials | An Eventful Life
Oliver Townend and Tregilder at 2023 Burnham Market International Horse Trials

Oliver Townend has withdrawn Tregilder from the 2024 MARS Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*, set to take place from 8th – 12th May.

Oliver originally had three entered for Badminton - Cooley Rosalent, Ballaghmor Class and Tregilder - but would have only been allowed to ride two. His Kentucky winner Cooley Rosalent was obviously withdrawn and he has now withdrawn Tregilder with Ballaghmor Class still listed to start at Number 78.

That means that Oliver is still in with a chance of taking the coveted Rolex Grand Slam for three 5* wins in a row, having won Defender Burghley 2023 with Ballaghmor Class and Defender Kentucky on Sunday with Cooley Rosalent.

Ballaghmor Class was withdrawn from Burnham Market International in April but competed at Poplar Park, the first event of the season, where he won the Open Intermediate.

This adds to the top British contenders withdrawn from Badminton with the earlier withdrawal of Piggy March and Gemma Stevens on Jalapeno but there is still a fabulous line-up of riders and horses set to compete – view the current listing here.

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