Oliver Townend is well on his way to recovery after sustaining a few minor injuries in a fall on cross-country during Saturday's event at Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. Townend was discharged from the trauma center on Sunday morning, and was later on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park to watch the remainder of the event
The Rolex Kentucky website posted this interview with Oliver on Sunday.
Likewise, both Kristi Nunnink and Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe are also both doing well after their falls on cross-country, as are their respective mounts R-Star and The Good Witch. None of the other horses or riders who were eliminated on cross-country were reported to have any major injuries.
From Classic Communications (Saturday afternoon)
Rider #69, Oliver Townend of Great Britain, riding Ashdale Cruise Master, fell at Fence 20, "The Hollow."
The rider was attended at the fence and transported to the University of Kentucky Trauma and Emergency Services-Emergency Department. The rider was conscious at the time he was transported.
The horse was examined and sustained no injuries.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Update at 4:38 pm on Saturday
Oliver Townend is up and walking around at the hospital. The UK Trauma center is continuing to examine him, but Townend seems to be in the clear.
The CCI5*-L field was narrowed by one this afternoon following the first horse inspection on High Hope Inspection Lane at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Horse and rider pairs were looking their best, with a few horses demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming competition through their flamboyant behavior (we're looking at you Bronte Beach Z and Dyri).
The man, the myth, the legend himself, Derek di Grazia is back in his typical fashion at this year's Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and he has designed some beautiful tracks for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S competitions this year. You can get a first look at these amazing courses as well as some insider interviews with di Grazia himself thanks to our friends at the CrossCountry App!
It's the most wonderful time of the year—and we aren't talking about the holiday season. Welcome to 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) week! This week the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, will be crawling with eventing lovers from all across the globe for the first five-star of the 2025 season and the USEA is excited to once again be onsite for all of the action.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.
Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA
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The USEA is the official sport affiliate of U.S. Equestrian
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