Townend’s mixed bag for Burnham Market

After a strong start to the season, world No 5 Townend was left frustrated by the elements at both Stafford and Gatcombe last weekend with both events wiped out due to snow.

Townend approached those two competitions following a 
fine showing at Great Witchingham where Outside Chance won the Advanced Intermediate with ODT Quizzical landing the Open Intermediate.

Townend’s Douglas was also fifth in the Open Intermediate while Northallerton’s Olympic silver medallist Wilson’s best-placing was a fourth-placed finish on Ngong Hills in the Intermediate.

Night Porter was also sixth in his Intermediate section for the Northallerton rider, whose Canada Bound and Hero Motivator were third and fourth, respectively, in the BE100 class at the Lincoln Horse Trials last week.

Night Porter and Ngong Hills were also third and ninth, respectively, in the Open Novice class with Beltane Queen 10th in the Intermediate and Annie Clover ninth in the Open Intermediate class.

Both Wilson and Townend will head to Burnham Market with British No 2 Townend taking a mixture of experience and youth.

Armada, Black Tie, Pepper Anne and ODT Ghareeb will fly the flag in the CCI three-star with Cooley Master Class tackling the Advanced section.

DHI Bandit King, ODT Quizzical and Sirio will compete in the Open Intermediate with Brucester Rooster and Tis A Beauty out to excel at Intermediate level.

Cooley Q, Cooley SRS, Honour Cruise, Peruising and Some Spring will also be in action in the Novice card at the event which concludes on Saturday.