Equestrian’s Andrew Hoy is set to make Australian Olympic history as he prepares for a record breaking seventh Olympic Games with selectors last night identifying him as part of the Eventing team for London.

The triple gold medallist is one of five combinations that have been identified for nomination to the 2012 Olympic Team.

Now based in Wiltshire in the UK, the 53-year-old sporting legend said the older you get the more emotional the Olympic experience becomes.

“The feeling changes from each Olympics because as you get older you value things more – you value the results, you the opportunities and you value life more,” he said.

“When I made my sixth Olympics I thought there might be a possibility of getting the record. But when it comes to representing your country, that’s not the record you’re aiming for, it’s just a nice little extra. The goal is to be successful and produce a world class performance.”

First representing Australia at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics, he went on to compete in six consecutive Games and was the flagbearer for the Atlanta 1996 Games.

When he looks back at all his Olympic accomplishments there is no doubt which is the most memorable.

“Sydney! Not simply because I won the two medals (gold team medal and silver individual) but what made Sydney so special is that it bought the best out the athletes, out of the Australian people and out of Australia as a host country. People still come up to me and talk about that Games being the best ever.”

With just over a month to go to the London Games, Hoy admitted he was trying to not get distracted by the accomplishment of a seventh Olympic Games birth - he had a job to do.

“I like to let the results do the talking. There is a lot to do between now and the Games.

“I’ve been working hard towards London but I thought my chances for a long time were limited, only in that my horse is a young horse. He is a very talented horse though and I chose a program that I thought gave me the best chance of being selected and stuck to that.”

Hoy purchased his horse Rutherglen as a four-year-old and took him through the ranks from novice to the Olympic level.

“He is sensitive and strong – a true athlete. He is very fit and I think that is what will be needed to run around the course in London.

“Rutherglen was named after a town near where I grew up around Albury. It’s also the name of my friend’s house in Melbourne who I stay with when I’m back – so it holds a special meaning to me,” said Hoy.

Recent performances at major international competitions showed selectors that Hoy and Rutherglen have what it takes to mix it with the best on the world stage and worthy of nomination to Australia’s Olympic Eventing Team.

His nine-year-old gelding measured up against some of the more seasoned horses on the eventing circuit – combined with the experience rider in Hoy, the duo are a formidable combination.

He has been indentified for nomination alongside fellow Beijing silver medallists Shane Rose, Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks, along with debutant Chris Burton. 

Read Hoy's Olympic history here>>>

Learn about Equestrian Eventing at the London Games>>>

Lauren Ryan
Equestrian Australia