Townend Takes Top Honours at Subaru Houghton International
Monday, May 26, 2008
Oliver Townend may have scored numerous victories in his career but this year’s Subaru Houghton International gave him his first ever three day event win yesterday (Sunday, May 25) when he secured victory in the CCI** riding Andrew Cawthray’s Waterview. Oliver led from start to finish but it came down to the wire in a tense final show jumping display when he finished just 3.6 penalties ahead of runners-up Matthew Wright and Hugginstown. Last year’s winner William Fox-Pitt had to settle for third with Chuckelberry and was also fourth on Bee Animas.
Leicestershire-based Oliver travelled to Houghton Hall with three horses for the event’s premier competition, the CCI**, but Waterview was not ranked as the horse with the best chance of victory. A score of 35.1 in the first dressage phase gave him a narrow lead which, after a fantastic cross country performance, he maintained. Cantering into the show= 0jumping arena Oliver knew he had just a few penalties to spare – not even a fence in hand – and the time allowed was tight. The young rider displayed the skill which has earned him several titles and a European Team Gold Medal to ride the perfect round - expertly judged, calm and accurate for the winning clear round and the first prize of £5000. Oliver commented; “Waterview wouldn’t be the most careful horse in the world but this is the best he’s ever jumped. I knew the time allowed was tight but I also knew how carefully I had to ride to stay clear!
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Eventing
