Oliver Townend to Try for Grand Slam at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

By Rod Kohler

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing contender, Oliver Townend, has confirmed that he plans to ride Ashdale Cruise Master at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, as well as possibly ODT Master Rose.

Ashdale Cruise Master completed the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials last year with Emily Gilruth, and when she became pregnant the owners, Henry and Edna Harding, moved him to Townend’s Shropshire yard. "He’s a very classy horse, with lots and lots of scope," said Townend. "My biggest problem is it’s a race against time on the dressage front, but he’s definitely one of the best horses I’ve ridden."

Townend’s result at Burghley has set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky in April, when he could become only the second rider to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses. The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is from April 22 to 25.

Photos: Oliver Townend with the Household Cavalry at the Hyde Park Barracks in London, England on March 9, 2010. By Rod Kohler.