Oliver Townend enters Carousel Quest for Kentucky

Oliver Townend has entered last year’s Burghley winner Carousel Quest (pictured) for Kentucky, giving himself another option in his bid to complete the Rolex Grand Slam.

Oliver’s stated first choice for Kentucky, new ride Ashdale Cruise Master, had a hiccup on the weekend with a fall at Lincolnshire on his second run with the Shropshire-based rider.

But Oliver said that Carousel Quest had been entered for Kentucky before this, with his entry going in last week.

“Carousel Quest is just on such unbelievable form,” he said. “I’ll take Ashdale Cruise Master and either Carousel Quest or ODT Master Rose [his other original entry] to Kentucky.”

Carousel Quest has not run yet this year, but is entered for Gatcombe’s advanced intermediate this weekend.

The lucrative Rolex Grand Slam is a $350,000 (£233,571) bonus to any event rider who can win the world’s three biggest four-stars — Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky — consecutively.

Oliver won Badminton last year on Flint Curtis and Burghley on Carousel Quest, so if he can win the American four-star at Kentucky (22-25 April) this time he will scoop the prize.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.