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.

August 15, 2025
The newest addition to the 2025/2026 Major League Show Jumping event calendar is the Kentucky International CSI5*, hosted at the 2026 Kentucky Three-Day Event.
August 5, 2025
Lexington, Kentucky – August 5, 2025 – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), has donated $20,000 to Justin’s Place, a therapeutic horse farm in Wilmore, KY, dedicated to helping children with disabilities and disorders and their families. Justin’s Place was previously named the Official Charity of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ . EEI is best known for producing the annual Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events (CCI5*-L) in the world, as well as the Cosequin ® Lexington CCI4*-S and Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on the same weekend. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences, and a wide array of demonstrations. Committed to being a pillar of the equestrian community, both in Kentucky and throughout the world, EEI also works in collaboration with other events and organizations throughout the year to promote and elevate equestrian sports throughout the U.S. and internationally. Over the last 20 years, EEI has donated more than $1.1 million to the local and equestrian communities through its support of various charities. “EEI is committed to supporting charities that serve the local community and the equine industry,” said Molly Day, Executive Director of EEI. “It’s truly an honor to make this donation to Justin’s Place, which does so much to share the healing power of horses and give back to children with disabilities and disorders and their families.”
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