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 28, 2026
Great Britain’s David Doel has steadily established himself as one of eventing’s most consistent competitors at the five-star level, building an impressive international record highlighted by podium finishes on both sides of the Atlantic. Doel’s eventing career began with the Avon Vale Pony Club, where he regularly competed on teams at the championship level. He went on to progress through the Junior and Young Rider ranks, earning team gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as an individual bronze. In 2014, he stepped onto the senior international stage with his Nations Cup debut and was awarded the Goldman Cup as the best Under-21 rider of the season. Doel made his five-star debut at Pau in 2018 and has remained a regular competitor at the level ever since. Much of that success has come alongside his longtime partner, Galileo Nieuwmoed . The pair made their Badminton Horse Trials debut in 2022, finishing sixth, before adding a fourth-place finish at Pau later that year. Since then, Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed have continued to prove their consistency at the highest level, finishing inside the top ten at every five-star event they have completed together.
August 6, 2026
Next Generation Spotlight Piece Written by Willa Gartner
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