TOWNEND EYES ROLEX KENTUCKY IN ATTEMPT TO BE SECOND TO CAPTURE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING
TOWNEND EYES ROLEX KENTUCKY IN ATTEMPT TO BE SECOND TO CAPTURE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING
Jan 1st, 10
In
September of 2003, Pippa Funnell of Great Britain became the first
rider in history to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing when she rode
Primmore's Pride to victory at the Burghley Horse Trials in England
following back-to-back wins in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in
April aboard Primmore's Pride and the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse
Trials in May aboard Supreme Rock. Funnell completed her sweep of the
three CCI**** events at Burghley to win $250,000, the purse at that
time, and a Pink Gold 18-carat Datejust Rolex watch. The payoff was the
largest in Eventing history.
Townend, 26, claimed a victory in
May in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials aboard Flint Curtis
and in September won another leg of the Rolex Grand Slam when he and
Carousel Quest bested a field of 49 to win the Land Rover Burghley
Horse Trials. Carousel Quest placed eighth at Rolex Kentucky last
spring. It was the first four star outing for Ollie and Carousel Quest
as a pair and served as another indication of how Rolex Kentucky and
its courses designed by Mike Etherington-Smith continue to build
champions.
"We all took note when this young combination
of Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest performed so well at Rolex
Kentucky last spring," said Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Director,
Jane Atkinson. "Mike Etherington-Smith has a unique ability to bring
out the talent in young horses and help them develop, and we can't wait
to welcome back Ollie and Carousel Quest next spring as the new
Burghley Champions!"
Townend's success comes as no surprise.
His father rode at Burghley and his mother showed sidesaddle at County
level so it was not unexpected that success came early for him in the
form of a place on the Pony Eventing Team and countless show jumping
victories. Now, with two major four star wins, he is poised to take his
place in Eventing history.
Will he be able to join Pippa
Funnell as the only riders to sweep the Rolex Grand Slam? We will find
out at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event next April 22-25!