‘His test was exceptional’: Oliver Townend claims lead on day one of Burghley dressage

Oliver Townend has taken over the top spot on the leader board from Ros Canter at the end of day one of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials dressage.

He scored 24.2 with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s Swallow Springs, putting them 2.7 penalties ahead of Ros and Pencos Crown Jewel, who now sit in second.

“I thought his test was exceptional and I feel that he is improving in this phase all the time,” said Oliver, who took over the ride on the now 15-year-old from Andrew Nicholson in 2019. “It’s obviously a credit to Andrew, who did an amazing job producing him, but with the work and management we’re giving him, Swallow Springs is continuing to improve right to the end of his career. Hopefully he’s got a few years left, but he’s not a young horse.”

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Article written by: Gemma Redrup