Main image: Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos, by Mariusz Chmielinski.
The CCIO4*S Nations Cup in Strzegom, Poland wrapped up on Sunday, with Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos posting a trademark clear jumping round to finish in fifth place on 47.1.
The result means Andrew and Vassily have ticked off their qualification requirements for the Paris Olympics and are therefore available for team nomination.
There were only three clear rounds in the jumping phase on Sunday, with Andrew and Vassily’s the quickest of them. The pair placed sixth after Friday’s dressage, however a frangible pin on Saturday’s cross country added 11 faults to their score. Fortunately, a single frangible pin activation is allowable according to the MER requirements for the Games.
Without those penalties, the Andrew and Vassily could have finished at the top of the leaderboard. The winning French combination of Camille Laisney and Avalone took out the class on 37 penalties.
Fellow Australian combination Grace Kay and Bluefields For Cello had a few rails down in the final phase to finish in 21st place on 65.2. It was the pair’s first completed at FEI four-star level and they had a cracking day on Saturday where they were clear in the cross country.
A 10-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Bluefields For Cello is by Bluefields Floreno – the Grand Prix dressage stallion who partnered with Alexis Hellyer at the 2018 World Equestrian Games before being sold in Europe and then more recently retiring back to Bluefields Stud in the Southern Highlands.
Full results from the CCIO4*S at Strzegom Horse Trials can be found here.
