Huddersfield rider Oliver Townend wins Badminton Horse Trials

May 14 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Oliver took Badminton glory, with just 0.7-worth of penalties ahead of Fox-Pitt, with Australian Sam Griffiths third.

“I hope to compete in all of the HSBC Classics,” said Oliver, “I’ve got horses for all of them.”

Flint Curtis though, will now take a well-earned breather after coping with intense pressure to prevail following the showjumping test.

Oliver added: “I knew he would do it, somehow. I knew last November that he could win it, and now that he has won it, I am still dreaming.

“I know him inside out, and I knew if I did the right things then he would pull it off.

“It is an indescribable feeling. Flint is a very special horse – we have a very good partnership.

“Ever since Burghley last September, he has just got better and better. I thought this could be his year to win Badminton.”

And there were also celebrations as his groom, 22-year-old Katherine Mellor from Huddersfield was awarded the Mark Holliday Memorial trophy at Badminton.