So far, only two have achieved the famous Rolex Eventing Grand Slam: Pippa Funnell, first, who achieved this in 2003, and Michael Jung, who matched her in 2016. Next week , Oliver Townend, current world number one, will try to add his name to this very short list during the legendary CCI 5*-L Badminton.
Having won the CCI 5*-L of Burghley in 2023 on Ballaghmor Class, then that of Lexington last week with Cooley Rosalent, Oliver Townend is now a contender for the Rolex Grand Slam, the most prized prize – with around 326,000 euros – and especially one of the most coveted in eventing. Indeed, to win it, a rider must win consecutively, but in any order and with the number of mounts he wishes, in the legendary events of Lexington, Badminton and Burghley, often considered the most difficult in the world. If he were to be titled, on May 12, for the second time at Badminton, where he had already reached the highest step of the podium in 2009 with Flint Curtis, Oliver Townend would become the third rider to achieve this Grand Slam after Pippa Funnell in 2003 and Michael Jung in 2016.
To try to achieve this feat, the current world number one will ultimately only be able to count on one mount: Ballaghmor Class. Now aged seventeen, it had already enabled him to win at Burghley last year as well as in 2017, but also to be crowned Olympic team champion in Tokyo, where he finished fifth individually. “Over the years, I always told myself that I would not blame myself if I did not manage to convert the attempt when I had the possibility of achieving the Grand Slam”admitted the forty-one-year-old athlete. “Indeed, when you are a contender for this prize, it means that you have already won the most important competitions in the world. It’s a huge privilege to be the only rider to have found myself in this position three times. At the first opportunity, (in 2010, at the CCI 5*-L in Lexington, editor’s note)I left the competition in an ambulance (after a fall while riding Ashdale Cruise Master, editor’s note), while at the second (in 2018, editor’s note), I finished second (from the CCI 5*-L of Badminton, at the reins of Willingpark Cooley, editor’s note). I hope the third time is a success!”
“I think the Rolex Eventing Grand Slam is the most difficult trophy to win in any sport, not just ours.”considers Oliver Townend bluntly. “As riders, we are totally dependent on our partners, the horses, and they are of course athletes in their own right with their own personality. Ballaghmor Class is really special to me. I’ve been riding him since he was four years old, so we know each other by heart, and he has already helped me win Olympic team gold as well as three of my eight victories in CCI 5*-L […]. I think at Badminton next week the conditions should suit this tough and brilliant horse very well. In any case, we will do our best!”
According to the specialized statistics company recognized for its expertise EquiRatingsthe couple has a good chance of winning in the English classic, since they are the second favorites behind Rosalind Canter and Izilot DHI, winners of the CCI 5*-L in Pau last fall. “Ballaghmor Class has already delivered two of the four best rounds performed at Badminton in the last fifteen years”explains Diarmuid Byrne, ofEquiRatings. “Given what he has already proven both at Badminton and at the highest level overall, it is very likely that he and Olivier will be favorites to win after the cross country next Saturday.”