By Oliver Townend - As Told to Catherine Austen
Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class at the 2021 LRK3DE. USEA/Erin Gilmore Photo
My first visit to Kentucky was in 2009 when I finished eighth on Carousel Quest - with whom I won Burghley a few months later. My initial impression was, ‘Wow!’ Disbelief that the sport of eventing had such an incredible venue. That disbelief has never weakened. If I could event full-time at the Kentucky Horse Park, I would.
Townend and Carousel Quest at Kentucky in 2009. USEA Archive Photo
Driving in, you immediately feel the history. Cigar Lane. . . a lot of special horses are remembered in the Kentucky Horse Park, and it feels almost weird that Cooley Master Class, my Kentucky winner in 2018 and 2019, might soon be one of those celebrated there.