Townend's masterclass

Top combination are foot-perfect across a technical course to add another win to their collection, as future prospects also stand out

- BECKY MURRAY

OLIVER TOWNEND produced another masterclass to score a seventh Burgham CCI4*-S win, aboard Paul Ridgeon’s effervescent 10-yearold mare, Cooley Rosalent.

The Holme Dodsworth Metals 104-strong feature class was “Rosie’s” first international run since her Kentucky ThreeDay Event CCI5* victory in April, and she was with Oliver all the way in the dressage to post a sterling 19.8, her best score in this phase to date.

The pair had a pole in the showjumping, but produced an error-free round across course-designer David Evans’ track.

“She’s a professional in all three phases, she’s possibly as good as I’ve had,” said Oliver. “She was pretty faultless in the dressage, and in the showjumping I was just a bit too quick to a double of verticals, but it was my error.”

In the cross-country, Oliver and Rosie were one of only five combinations inside the 6min 35sec optimum time.

“She was incredibly quick, you don’t know you’re going fast on her. Even when you’re slowing for the combinations, her stride remains quick. It makes her very easy and adjustable,” said Oliver

Three combinations proved the most influential: fence 6abc (Holme Dodsworth Metals Question), a big table to two corners; fence 9abc (Blackshaws “Off-Road Challenge”), two skinnies to a corner, and water complex fence 15abcd (AW Jenkinson Lakeside), requiring riders to think on their feet with varied stride options available.

Oliver said he opted for the “bravest routes to make sure Rosie is sharp for what’s to come later in the season”.