Sponsored Riders
Oliver Townend
INTERVIEW
International four star eventer Oliver Townend is perhaps best known for his memorable 2009 season; the season in which he won both British four star events, Badminton and Burghley, on Flint Curtis and Carousel Quest respectively. This is a year that Oliver looks back on fondly: “I was elated. It had always been a lifelong ambition of mine to compete at both events, let alone win both of them. I don’t know if it will ever really sink in, but I just focus on continuing to move forwards and enjoying the competitions that I’m at.”
Oliver's ambitions started at a young age
Oliver was born and bred in Huddersfield, Yorkshire and his passion for eventing began on the farm at home. With both parents interested in equestrian sports and Oliver’s father having competed up to Advanced level himself, Oliver’s progression into eventing was natural: “Both of my parents have been incredibly supportive of my eventing career, but my Dad was definitely the driving force behind it, Mum was much more about education and school when I was younger.”
Oliver has been riding since the age of seven and he first represented Britain at the age of 13 when he was selected onto the British Pony Eventing Team for the European Championships. Oliver has always been hard working and determined to succeed and he rose quickly through the ranks of youth eventing and into Senior eventing.
His first Badminton ride
In 2005, Oliver secured his first four star ride at Badminton on The Hon William Russell’s Topping. He proved himself at that point to be a real contender for the top spot by finishing 12th and earning himself an individual place at the Senior Eventing European Championships at Blenheim that same year. In 2006, Oliver took over the ride on Flint Curtis and in the horse’s first four star at Badminton; Oliver rode him to 3rd place and his meteoric rise to becoming one of the worlds most successful and consistent event riders continued. Oliver was then selected on Flint Curtis as an individual for the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 before then being selected onto the team in 2007 for the European Championships in Pratoni, where the combination achieved their first Gold medal. Oliver and Flint then emulated this success again in 2009 at the European Championships in Fontainebleau, France – topping off a fantastic year.
The year ahead...
Now with London 2012 in his sights, Oliver is more than focussed on reaching these games: “I’ve got some really talented horses that have got great futures ahead of them and I am going to try and get as many horses as possible qualified for the Olympics to give me the best chance possible.”
Alongside his day job as a world class eventer, Oliver has also been influential in producing his own line of clothing and saddlery, sold through Townend Online and his most recent project sees him team up with businesswoman Nina Barbour to develop a new international breeding centre called Harthill Stud, which stands stallions such as Power Blade and Ramiro B.
Oliver uses the following products:
For Brucester Rooster
Staypower Cubes
Alfalfa
For Neo du Breuil
High Fibre Nuts
Alfalfa
Vital Stats
Birthday:
15th November 1982
Based:
Shropshire
Number of horses on yard:
35 plus
Favourite food:
Chinese
Favourite TV show:
Channel 4 Racing
Oliver's Top Tips
- Never give up, even when people tell you that you can't do it.
- Feed Dodson & Horrell!!
- Always be clear about what you want to do and achieve both on and off the horse.
