Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class join Hall of Fame

Last night another horse and rider were inducted into the Eventing Riders Association (ERA) International Defender Burghley Horse Trials Hall of Fame. In the relaxed atmosphere of the riders lounge at Burghley, competing riders gathered for the social occasion, once again supported by Shearwater Insurance.

In a change to previous years, the Eventing Riders Association (International) welcomed nominations from riders, owners and the general public for this year’s horse and rider inductees. Taking an overwhelming majority was former world number one and leading British rider, Oliver Townend, with his 2017 winner Ballaghmor Class leading the nominations for the equine athletes.

A surprised and grateful Oliver Townend accepted the award, presented by Shearwater Insurance Managing Director Jeremy Lawton, and delivered a speech filled with emotion.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m amazed and very grateful,” said Oliver. “The whole team (who make this happen) are very, very special. There is a host of people most of you wouldn’t recognise. They’ve been there for nine or 10 years, at 6 o’clock every morning, and I couldn’t do it without them."

The 2009 and 2017 winner went on to thank Ballaghmor Class' owners, Angela Hislop, Val Ryan and his good friend Karyn Shuter for their support.

“I’m not very good at looking like things matter but this recognition matters more to me than any of you could ever imagine. So thank you!”

Ballaghmor Class won The Defender Burghley Horse Trials in 2017 on his CCI5* debut, and finished second in 2018. Val Ryan, Angela Hislop and Karyn Shuter joined Oliver to receive the award on their horse's behalf.

Oliver and Ballagmor Class now join the likes of Andrew Nicholson and Avebury, William Fox-Pitt, Sir Mark Todd, Pippa Funnell, Lenamore, Shear L’Eau and Happy Times as members of the Burghley Hall of Fame.