WITH barely a week to go until his Tokyo Olympic Games gets underway, Oliver Townend's ride has arrived in the country.

The Dudleston Heath-based eventer will compete on Ballaghmor Class – also known as Thomas – who flew out ahead of him earlier this week.

The 14-year-old gelding has already had a view of the Equestrian Park when he was greeted by groom Jess McKie on Tuesday evening and he's now being stabled while he awaits the arrival of Townend, who is currently ranked number one in the world.

This will be the 38-year-old's first Olympic Games.

Following his selection earlier this month he told Horse and Hound magazine: "I am absolutely delighted to have been selected.

"To represent Great Britain at the Olympics is something I’ve been dreaming about for a very long time and it’s such an honour.

“It will be very different from what I can imagine other Olympics have been, but we are a very strong team and I’m in great company – we will go there with big ambitions and try to make everyone at home proud.

“Ballaghmor Class is just such an incredible horse and has been so consistent. He really is a horse of a lifetime and the opportunity to compete at my first Olympics with him is hard not to get emotional about."

The eventing competition begins on Thursday, July 29 with the inspection, before the dressage competition on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31. This will be followed by the cross-country section on Sunday, August 1 morning and concludes with the showjumping section on Monday, August 2.