‘He tapped his way round but he’s an old professional’: Oliver Townend reflects on his Badminton Horse Trials results

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Badminton Horse Trials results: Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs
Oliver Townend, third at Badminton on Swallow Springs
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs added four faults in the final showjumping phase at Badminton Horse Trials, an event presented by Mars Equestrian, this afternoon (8 May). The pair had been in second place following their cross-country round, but the faults dropped them one place, finishing behind Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. The final Badminton Horse Trials results score for Oliver and Swallow Springs was 29.7.

“It didn’t feel good – he’s tapped his way round but he’s an old professional, a proper cross-country event horse,” Oliver said after his round. “I’m just very pleased for Diana and Paul Ridgeon and all the owners involved.”

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.