The flight cancellations due to the Volcanic dust have played havoc with the travel plans of British riders flying to Lexington to compete in the Rolex Kentucky three day event, April 22-25.

Oliver Townend and William Fox-Pitt withdrew from Belton's Sunday classes, and headed to Spain, where flights are operating.

Townend had to take a train from Crewe to London and then the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris.  Due to the current train strikes, Townend then had to take a taxi from Paris to Madrid where he
will fly to Miami later on today.

William Fox-Pitt was fortunate enough to have a private jet supplied by a generous contact of his, and is currently flying out to Madrid where he will meet Townend.

From Miami the riders will have to take a further flight to Atlanta and then another to finally reach Lexington.

Due to quarantine regulations, the horses and grooms arrived in Lexington over a week ago and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their riders.

Townend is bidding to complete the Rolex Grand Slam (awarded to any rider who can win Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky consecutively) and win $350,000.