Athlete Spotlight: Oliver Townend

November 14, 2024

In 2024, Oliver Townend and his talented Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Rosalent, clinched the title at the prestigious Kentucky Three-Day Event. This victory marked Townend’s fourth Kentucky win and the first with Cooley Rosalent, an impressive 10-year-old with a feisty spirit and love for competition. Townend, a veteran British equestrian from Shropshire, celebrated this victory with pride, especially as it brought his total 5* starts to an impressive 100—a milestone few achieve.

The pair tied for 8th in dressage and truly shined during cross-country, delivering a clean, confident round. Their flawless show jumping secured the top spot, missing an FOD (Finish on Dressage) score by only a minor cross-country time penalty. Reflecting on the win, Townend shared his excitement, stating:


"Not even 10 years old and already a 5* winner… What a horse! So proud of her and happy for her owners Paul and Diana Ridgeon, who’ve been fantastic supporters of our sport for so very long and dearly deserved this win. Huge thanks to our sponsors, our team, and everyone supporting us—it truly takes a village!"

Cooley Rosalent’s strong Kentucky finish has only boosted her confidence, and fans are excited to see her back in action at future events, with Townend noting that she may be one of the best horses he’s ever ridden. As the countdown to next year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event begins, we’re keeping an eye on this extraordinary duo, hoping to see them return to Lexington for more unforgettable performances.

April 23, 2025
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The wait is over — the Inside Kentucky Preview Show is here.  Nicole Brown and Sam Watson set the scene for one of the most competitive Defender Kentuckys we’ve seen in years. The field is stacked, the conditions could shake things up, and the storylines are electric. Can Boyd Martin finally win on home soil with one of the strongest strings he’s ever brought? Will Michael Jung and Chipmunk bounce back in style? And Tim Price and Tom McEwen are quietly turning up the heat in the world number one race. Over in the Cosequin® 4*-S, Olympic veterans and rising stars like HSH Blake and Off The Record headline a field stacked with serious contenders. This episode is everything you need to sound clever in the group chat all week long— top picks, and the numbers that matter and why this year’s Defender Kentucky is a must-follow. Highlights: Boyd’s all-in: why this is more than just another five-star for Team Martin Chipmunk and Michi — the comeback everyone’s watching World number one? Tim and Tom are both making a case Four-star form guide: Caroline and Blake, and the other combos ready to surprise One stat that shows just how close Kentucky came to rewriting the record books Guests: Nicole Brown – Eventing Podcast host Sam Watson – Data analyst, five-star rider, and co-founder of EquiRatings EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Catch up on all of our Inside Kentucky episodes wherever you get your podcasts, and stay in the loop by following Defender Kentucky on Instagram and Facebook !
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