Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class
Updated 20th July 2021
After careful consideration and full collaboration with British Equestrian Performance Director Richard Waygood, the owners of Brookfield Inocent, Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry, have decided to withdraw ‘Arthur’ from Olympic contention. This decision has been made with the understanding and support of their rider, Piggy March (watch Piggy's vlog below). The combination will therefore not travel to Tokyo.
Alison Swinburn on behalf of the owners said: “The chance to represent your country on the Olympic stage is the pinnacle of every owner’s ambition but taking everything into account, we have decided to put those dreams on hold for now. We wish the best of luck to the team in Tokyo, and they’ll have no bigger supporters as we all cheer them on.”
Richard Waygood added: “Tokyo will be a Games like no other and I’m grateful to Piggy and her owners Alison, John and Chloe, for their openness and consideration around what was an extremely tough decision. We hope to see Piggy and Arthur in British team colours in the future.”
This brings into the squad reigning World Champions, Ros Canter and Allstar B, owned by Ros and Caroline Moore as travelling reserves.
Full combination details:
Rosalind Canter (35) based in Hallington, Lincolnshire, with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B (bay, gelding, 16yrs, 17hh, Ephebe For Ever x Erkstein, Breeder: FAJ Van der Burg NED) and long time groom; Sarah Charnley
Ros Canter and Allstar B
1st July 2021
Six rider and horse combinations and two travelling reserves have been named by the British Olympic Association (BOA) to compete in the dressage and eventing disciplines as part of the equestrian competition at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The jumping trio will be named at a later date.
Four riders will be making their Team GB debut while all six horses compete on the Olympic stage for the first time at the Equestrian Park which is the same location used for the 1964 Games. Teams will be made up of three combinations with the fourth being a travelling reserve.
In dressage, Charlotte Dujardin will be targeting a third consecutive Olympic individual title and has the chance to make history as the first ever British woman to do so. Tokyo marks a sixth Games for Carl Hester, while it’s a first chance for Charlotte Fry. Gareth Hughes is named as the travelling reserve for dressage.
The eventing foursome are all Olympic debutantes but isn’t lacking in experience or form with Oliver Townend currently ranked number one in the world and Tom McEwen fifth while Laura Collett has been one to watch this spring. Eventing’s travelling reserve is Piggy March who is ranked number three in the world.
Laura Collett and London 52
Speaking about the selection, British Equestrian Performance Director and Equestrian Team Leader for Tokyo, Richard Waygood, said; “Selection and preparation has been difficult ahead of Tokyo however we continue to remain resilient and focused to overcome the challenges of this year’s Games"
"Both teams are a great mix of youth and experience and each one of the combinations travelling to Tokyo has the potential to finish on the podium. Our human and equine sports science teams, working with the riders’ home teams, have left nothing to chance to ensure the athletes, both equine and human, are ready to fulfil that potential.”
Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser
Eventing Team
Laura Collett (31) based in Salperton, Gloucestershire, with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52 (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Landos x Quinar, Breeder: Ocke Riewerts GER, Groom: Matilda Sayburn-Hughes)
Tom McEwen (30) based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen’s Toledo de Kerser (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge, Breeder: Kerstin Drevet FRA, Groom: Francesca Gorni)
Oliver Townend (38) based in Ellesmere, Shropshire, with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class (grey, gelding, 14yo, 16.2hh, s. Courage II, Breeder: Noel Hicky IRL, Groom: Jess McKie)
Travelling reserve
Piggy March (40) based in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, with John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Inocent (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Inocent x Kings Servant, Breeder: John Mulvey IRL, Groom: Amy Phillips)
Non-travelling reserves are as per the nominated entries lists for both teams.
