Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos. © FEI/Liz Gregg

Record 8th Olympics for Hoy the ‘country boy'

By Adele Severs

Andrew Hoy is heading to a record eighth Olympic Games, and he won’t be there just to make up the numbers. Riding Vassily de Lassos, one of the most talented horses he’s ever had, Andrew hopes the best is yet to come.

Named as a member of the Australian team for Tokyo, alongside Chris Burton, Shane Rose and Stuart Tinney (travelling reserve), Andrew Hoy, 62, has again made history by competing at the most Olympics ever by an Australian — beating his own record of seven that he set when he attended London in 2012.

“To represent Australia at international level over so many years has been the greatest privilege and honour of my life,” says Andrew. “I have never set out to break records on my number of Olympic Games participations – I am just a country boy from Culcairn who loves his horses, has a huge passion for our sport and thrives on being competitive at the top end. There is nothing that beats the feeling of wearing the green and gold and being part of a team of incredible athletes – going onto the biggest sporting stage in the world – and all wanting to make Australia proud.”

From a childhood spent in the saddle chasing sheep and cattle on the family farm, Andrew has forged a career in a tough industry where working hard and having the tenacity to push on — even when the chips are down — is integral to success....

Read the full article in the July issue of Equestrian Life here!