‘I think she’s very, very special’: Oliver Townend takes the CCI4*-S lead at Bramham Horse Trials

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Bramham Horse Trials dressage Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent
Oliver Townend riding Cooley Rosalent during the dressage phase of the CCI4*-S at the Bramham International Horse Trials
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent have gone into the lead after day one of the Bramham Horse Trials dressage in the Land Rover-sponsored CCI4*-S. The eight-year-old grey mare, owned by Paul Ridgeon, scored 26.6.

“I’m very, very happy with her. She’s obviously very baby at the level, but she’s probably as good as I’ve had ever at this stage – I think she’s very, very special,” Oliver said after his Bramham Horse Trials dressage test. “There’s no pressure on her – I’m just ticking along and when she becomes competitive in all three bits on the same day, she will win, but she’s here to learn, she here to qualify and what will be, will be.”

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.