Oliver
THE winner at last year’s Badminton and Burghley and firmly established as Britain’s number one three-day event rider, Oliver, 27, wants to make sure that winning streak continues to the London Olympics in 2012.
It may have looked like something of a meteoric rise for the son of a Huddersfield milkman whose image has been a long way from the accepted norm for this sport. But Oliver’s success has always been based on hard graft and a love for the horses he works with.
Oliver inherited his love of horses from his parents. His dad, Alan, competed in three-day eventing, while mum, Eve showed side saddle at county level. Oliver began riding when he was 7 years old. His first success came when he was 11, with his pony Cool Mule at the Horse of the Year Show, and at 13 he went on to represent Britain on the pony eventing team at the European Championships. Oliver quickly moved through the ranks and for three years was stable jockey to British Team Trainer, Kenneth Clawson in Leicestershire.
When Oliver eventually set up on his own at Lubenham Lodge, Leicestershire, he had just a few pounds in his pocket but an unquenchable thirst for winning. Less than two years later he was able to be able to buy his own farm in Dudleston Heath near Ellesmere, Shropshire where he is now based.
The Hon William Russell’s Topping provided Oliver’s first crack at Badminton and he made the most of it by finishing in 12th place. This earned them an individual place at the European Championships, Blenheim in 2005. Flint Curtis took over as Oliver’s top horse in 2006 after placing third at Badminton, his first four star event. Oliver remained on the British Squad, riding Flint as an individual at the Aachen WEG the same year, before earning his first team place – and a European Championship gold medal – at Pratoni in 2007.
Then came his glorious year in 2009. Oliver and Flint Curtis won their first CCI**** at Badminton. Oliver also went on to win Burghley CCI**** on his other top grey horse, Carousel Quest, owned by Andrew Cawthray. In so doing, Oliver joined an elite group of riders who have won back to back Badminton and Burghley titles. He duly finished the season at the top of the British Eventing points table for the first time, having previously been top British rider.
Team Townend now includes a staff of eight – with mum and dad playing their part – stables for 45 horses and all the facilities needed to buy and sell the best and compete for the world’s top honours.
