OLYMPIC gold medallist Oliver Townend has been signed as the official rider for Caunton Stud, in a collaboration likened to Formula 1 or Premiership football.

The Nottinghamshire, England-based stud is run by Victoria Wright and her father, Sir John Peace, and stands the stallions Comfort and Jacondrik. “Oliver is a brilliant horseman with a focus and a drive that keeps him at the top, and one of the hardest working people in the sport,” Wright said.

“We have huge ambitions for Caunton; our dream is to create something world-class that has never been done before. We all share a passion for horse sport, for quality and for success, and a vision for the future of the sport and the way in which we feel it needs to progress.”

A six-time winner at five-star level and part of Britain’s gold medal-winning team in Tokyo last summer, Townend said: “Accepting this contract with Caunton is hugely exciting and I’m delighted to be working with Victoria and Sir John; we have a mutual desire to promote and improve British breeding and the sport of eventing.”

The Townend/Caunton collaboration can first be seen in action on February 12th at the British Breeding Stallion Event at Arena UK, Lincolnshire, and at the Caunton open day on February 27th.