{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

Oliver Townend withdraws from Kentucky

Pippa Roome Pippa Roome

    •  

    Oliver Townend has withdrawn Black Tie II from Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (28 April-1 May).

    The British star told H&H: “Black Tie was entered for both Kentucky and Badminton to keep the options open, but I don’t feel like I need to take him all the way to America. He may run at Badminton depending on my other two horses and if the ground there suits him.”

    The horse, a 15-year-old gelding by Mughtanim belonging to Karyn Shuter, is a renowned top of the ground performer, so wet going does not suit him.

    Oliver also has Armada and Dromgurrihy Blue entered for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (4-8 May) the week after Kentucky. Riders can only start on two horses at Badminton, although they can enter more than that initially.

    Black Tie had a fall at fence four at Burnham Market (1) last weekend, but Oliver said the withdrawal was not as a result of that.

    “He is absolutely fine following our tip-up at Burnham Market,” said Oliver. “Him being withdrawn from Kentucky is not at all related — he is fine.”

    Black Tie was Oliver’s ride at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, but after a tough competition there was given most of last year off. He won his first run this year, the open intermediate at Oasby (1).

    Oliver’s withdrawal means just one British-ridden horse will fly to Kentucky this year — Panda Christie’s Little Leo. Two US-based British riders are also entered for the event: James Alliston with Parker and Philippa Humphreys on Sir Donovan.

    Related articles:

    Four Kiwi horses will also make the journey to the US for Kentucky — Blyth Tait’s ride Xanthus III, Tim Price’s Bango and Wesko, and Mark Todd’s NZB Campino. Germany’s Michael Jung is also taking last year’s winner FischerRocana FST.

    In addition, British-based US rider Tiana Coudray will travel back to America to compete at Kentucky with Ringwood Magister. Tiana has been awarded a Land Rover Grant by the US Equestrian Federation to help her towards the journey. She is also entered for Badminton, but is 24th on the waiting list.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    Pippa Roome
    Pippa Roome

    H&H magazine editor and eventing editor
    Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
    Pippa Roome

    You may like...