HOY Andrew

General
AIMING FOR EIGHTH GAMES IN TOKYO
He represented Australia at the 2018 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Tryon, NC, United States of America, where the Australian eventing team finished sixth and qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. At the 2012 Games in London he became the first Australian to compete at seven Olympic Games, and aims to make the 2020 Games in Tokyo his eighth Olympic appearance, which would again be a record for an Australian from any sport. "I have the best horse power I believe that I've ever had, the best number of horses coming on that I've ever had in my career and that is something that is very special. If we have the performances, I think there's a very strong chance I'll be in Tokyo. I might be getting older but I am enjoying eventing even more. I'm never thinking, 'Well, I'm now at this age, I should start thinking of retiring,' I'm always looking towards the next thing." (AUS Olympic Team YouTube channel, 24 May 2020; sen.com.au, 18 Nov 2018; horsescout.com, 15 Jun 2018; olympics.com.au, 31 Dec 2012; hoyteam.com, 03 Jun 2021)

POSITIVE POSTPONEMENT
He saw the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as an opportunity to improve the training of his horses and team members. "The events of 2020 have really allowed me to focus on the basics with all of the horses at our base, Somerby Stables. The foundation work I'd normally do in winter I've been able to extend through lockdown and into summer, which has been really beneficial. It's also given me the opportunity to work with my team of seven at home and help them understand why I do things a particular way, bettering their skillset. They now have a better appreciation for the range of work I do with each horse to lead them to become well-rounded athletes. I just thought, 'All right I've got another 12 months. What do I have to do in the next 12 months to make sure that I've got the performances to be selected for Tokyo in 2021?' I want to have four horses qualified." (olympics.com, 01 Aug 2020; horseandride.co.uk, 30 Sep 2020)

STABLES
He has lived in England since the 1990s. In December 2013 he moved to Somerby Stables in Leicestershire, England. "I came to England after one of my Olympics which was in Barcelona in 1992. We won gold. Prior to that I was farming in Australia and riding as a hobby. With the success in Barcelona, it gave me the confidence to be able to think, 'Well, I'm going to do this full-time'. So, I wanted to be in the hub of the sport. I saw the place in early December 2013 - it suited all of my needs and I was able to rent the whole facility so we moved in on New Year's Eve. It's really designed as a facility where I can have students and where people can train with me here." (AUS Olympic Team YouTube channel, 24 May 2020; hoyteam.com, 03 Jun 2021; an-eventful-life.au, 01 Jun 2015)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
In January 2020 he became an ambassador of the Equestrian Fire Relief Australia Fund. "To see my home country going up in flames, to see the suffering of people, wildlife and all other animals is just devastating. The Australian equestrian community so urgently needs the help of the international equestrian community - financially, but also morally. I hope with this campaign we will be able to make a difference, show our support and get much-needed finances to the people affected." (horsetalk.co.nz, 11 Jan 2020; horseandhound.co.uk, 10 Jan 2020)

At the 2012 Olympic Games in London he became the first Australian athlete from any sport to have competed at seven editions of the Olympic Games. He was also the oldest male Australian athlete to compete at the 2012 Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jun 2021)