In a significant decision made in full collaboration with British Equestrian Eventing Performance Manager Richard Waygood, Oliver Townend and owners Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop, and Val Ryan have withdrawn Ballaghmor Class from the eventing nominated list for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Ballaghmor Class, affectionately known as “Thomas,” has been a standout in the equestrian world, boasting an impressive track record that includes an Olympic gold medal. Despite his accolades, the team felt it was in Thomas’s best interest to withdraw due to an interrupted preparation for a long-format event earlier this season.
We are disheartened to withdraw Ballaghmor Class from Team GB Olympic selection. As his preparation for a long-format event in the first half of the season was interrupted, we could not secure the final qualification for the Olympics without compromising his best interests. This is so disappointing for the whole team, but Thomas means the world for us and at the end of the day, his welfare and happiness is more important than everything else,” Oliver and his team stated.
The decision highlights the importance placed on the horse’s well-being over competitive ambitions. Ballaghmor Class will instead aim for an autumn 5* event, where the team hopes he will continue to demonstrate his elite capabilities.
Oliver remains a contender for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent. The British Eventing Selectors are set to work with Richard Waygood to name a replacement combination to the nominated list next week.
Reflecting on the future, Oliver added,
He [Thomas] is one of few special horses that has an Olympic gold to his name and while he will be aiming for an autumn 5*, we hope that stablemate Cooley Rosalent will fly the flag in our bid to be selected for the Games. Huge thanks to British Equestrian, Thomas’s owners, our sponsors and the team around us who have showed unwavering support in making this decision.”
This decision underscores the dedication and careful consideration taken by top athletes and their teams in ensuring the health and happiness of their equine partners. Ballaghmor Class, with his remarkable achievements, remains a horse of exceptional talent, and the team’s focus now shifts to future competitions and continued success.
The equestrian eventing team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be announced shortly, as the selection process is still underway. The eventing competition will take place from July 27 to July 29, 2024. The dressage phase is scheduled for July 27, followed by the cross-country phase on July 28, and the showjumping phase on July 29.
For the British team, the announcement of the final lineup, including any replacement combinations, is expected to be confirmed within the next week. The British Eventing Selectors, in collaboration with Performance Manager Richard Waygood, are finalizing the details following the recent withdrawal of Ballaghmor Class from consideration due to an interrupted preparation period.
Stay tuned to official British Equestrian channels and other equestrian sport news sources for the upcoming announcement.
Feature image: Oliver Townend with Ballaghmor Class in the Tokyo 2020 Eventing Showjumping Team Phase (British Equestrian/Jon Stroud)
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.