Oli T withdraws from Badders

rising_promise

rising_promise

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Sorry if this is already on here somewhere but I can't find it with the stupid new format!!

He's withdrawn both horses- anyone know why??
 
Oh no - what a shame. Don't know why but am very surprised as that totally puts him out of the running for the Rolex Grand Slam.

Will be very interested to see what others say as to why...
 
Actually - I'm having a total blond moment :-0 it doesn't at all as he's already won Badders and Burghley... crawls back under rock ;-)
 
Grand Slam ends this week with Rolex. You need to win the 3 events within 1 rolling year. So Badminton would be fresh start.
 
I don't see how it puts him out of the Grand slam :confused:

Maybe he can't get back from the US in time? Or missed vital preparation trying to get to the US?
 
Taffyhorse said:
Oh no - what a shame. Don't know why but am very surprised as that totally puts him out of the running for the Rolex Grand Slam.

Will be very interested to see what others say as to why...
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No, Badminton is irrelevant as he won Badminton and Burghley last year so it's Kentucky (this week) that he needs to win to win the Grand Slam, hence the superhuman effort to get there.
 
Gosh, aren't we all quick off the mark today? ;)

Actually if he has w/d both horses, which seems bizarre, then good on him for doing it now and not at the last possible moment as it gives those promoted from the waitlist a few more days to get organised.
 
Prob because he is bloody knackered!
When he gets back from rolex he'll want to be either blind drunk celebrating or absolutely distraught and want to hide in a hole and never come out???!!!
 
Presumably because neither horse sound enough or ready - cant see him withdrawing because he will be 'tired' - he's a professional event rider, its his job - and he wouldn't be missing out on the Badminton prize money if he had a horse to take.
 
I really can't imagine Mr Townend or any other pro withdrawing from the most prestigious event in this country over a week in advance and risk seriously alienating his owners because he is worried that he might be a bit tired next week. :confused:

I am also probably being a bit naive regarding the travel scenario at the moment but I am assuming that Kentucky finishes on Sunday and the Badminton dressage starts on Friday (trot up on Thursday but I'm not sure that the rider HAS to be present for that?). That's 5 days to get back from the States. Surely there could be a way he could do it? I know that some of the international competitors in the London Marathon have had strings pulled for them so that they could arrive here in time for Sunday :confused:. Although I have already applauded him for withdrawing so early it also seems rather counter to his heavily publicised determination/ruthlessness to give up hope of getting back for a potential 4* win quite so far in advance of the game :confused:.
 
He's just been - 48.something or other... About 5th so far. Organisers moved both his rides to Friday dressage as Master Rose's owners couldn't make it for Thurs. Obviously possible as Philip Dutton has 4 rides! There's a lunch break on the XC as well.

I'd guess OT realised that his last 2 horses for badminton needed more work than he could give or would be better saved for another 4 star than risked if not 100%
 
havent read the whole thread but id imagine its because he needs kentucky for the rolex grandslam, and with all of the travel chaos recently, hes probably just prioritised to save from the stress and rushing about!
 
I should imagine he is worried about transport issues. After all, it took him 50 hours (or something crazy!) to get out to Kentucky. If he is out there untill monday, he may be pushed to get a flight back? Badminton starts Friday so it is a narrow wondow at the best of times... Good for him for doing it early though.
 
I can promise you ollie would not withdraw now because he might be tired if there is money to be won he will be there.As others have stated this would not be acceptable from a pro rider with other owners.So it must be horse problems to be quite honest what I saw of his horses at Belton they didnt look right hence why I think he withdrew most on friday.
 
And surely if it were transport issues WFP and his owner would do the courteous thing, and offer Ollie a lift back in the private jet?!!! :o) (unlike on the way out there!!!)
 
It wasn't a 'private jet' it was a 2 seater light plane. WFP missed the train the Oli was already on and had to play catch up. The plane took him to Madrid where he met up with Oli.
 
Yeah - not sure the 'private jet' would be an option across the Atlantic - rather them than me if they do decide to try!!! Unless you can do mid-air fueling!!!!!
 
Bustermartin said:
Yeah - not sure the 'private jet' would be an option across the Atlantic - rather them than me if they do decide to try!!! Unless you can do mid-air fueling!!!!!
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Private jets fly the Atlantic all the time so distance is no problem.The WFP private jet thing ,BE got it wrong as their press release stated private Jet rather than private plane with no instrument rating.However I am sure it was more comfy than Ollies trip,It must have broken his heart to shell out £1600 for a Taxi.
 
FYI, WFP has competed at Kentucky and then Badminton quite a few times, as has Pippa Funnell and Polly Stockton. I believe OT withdrew because of issues with horses and not cause he's tired :rolleyes:
 
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