Legendary Australian eventer and seven-time Olympian Andrew Hoy is set to return to Australia as a guest of Racing Victoria’s (RV) Off The Track program for the 20th anniversary of EQUITANA Melbourne.
Hoy, now based in the UK, last attended EQUITANA in 2003 and will be delivering an exclusive training feature on behalf of Off The Track on Friday 16 November. This clinic will be complimentary for all EQUITANA attendees as part of a general admission ticket on the day.
The triple Australian Olympic gold-medallist, who rode thoroughbred gelding Kiwi to eventing gold at the Barcelona games in 1992, traditionally relies on either Off The Track gallopers or purpose-bred horses with heavy thoroughbred influence when competing at the international top level.
This will be the only opportunity for the general public to see Hoy while he is in Australia and attendees will have the chance to meet the man himself throughout the day.
Hoy’s Training Feature at EQUITANA will showcase retired racehorses that have begun their new careers as performance horses. Applications to appear in his Masterclasses are open from Wednesday August 15 via the EQUITANA website.
EQUITANA Melbourne is proud to partner with RV’s Off The Track program and its Event Director Rod Lockwood, is thrilled to welcome Hoy back to champion this important cause.
“We are so excited to welcome Andrew Hoy back to EQUITANA to celebrate our 20th anniversary,” Lockwood said.
“We couldn’t think of a better ambassador for retired racehorses and I encourage everyone to come and see Andrew’s amazing Off The Track training feature.”
An enthusiastic advocate of retired racehorses, Hoy has campaigned on several retired racehorses at the highest level, including most recently the successful grey gelding, Algebra.
Hoy partnered Algebra for three years until 2017, when he was retired to his owner’s property in Australia at the grand age of 19. During those three years, the duo won two major CCI3* competitions and took part in several Australian Nations Cup teams.
RV’s Equine Welfare Coordinator, Lauren Moor, is excited to see Hoy return to Australia and lend his knowledge to retired racehorses and their owners.
“The Hoy family have been long-time supporters of the Off The Track program, and we are delighted to have them join us this year at EQUITANA,” said Moor.
“Andrew is an equestrian icon and has always been an advocate of competing with retired racehorses.”
For his part, Hoy cannot speak highly enough of Off The Track thoroughbreds and their suitability to a range of disciplines post-racing.
“Thoroughbreds have been a part of my life from a young age,” he said.
“When I was 15, my parents bought ‘Davey’ for me, an Off The Track thoroughbred who was meant to be my A-Grade Pony Club Horse, but ended up taking me to two Olympic Games, two World Championships and won Burghley 4*.
“For me, there is a place for every racehorse after its career on the track, whether it is as a competition horse, a leisure horse, a police horse, polo, Riding for the Disabled – the list is endless. It’s our duty to look after these beautiful animals and help them in their transition to a new career.”
Always keen to support the re-training of retired racehorses, Hoy is relishing the prospect of returning to Australia in November and presenting at EQUITANA Melbourne.
“I’m very excited to be working with RV’s Off The Track program at EQUITANA, and hope I can help in a small way to teach people how to understand the thought process of retired racehorses,” he said.
“Re-educating them requires time, patience, the correct skills and a love of these beautiful animals.”
Hoy is an undeniable legend of the equestrian world, and the only opportunity to see him is exclusively at EQUITANA for his Off The Track training feature on Friday 16 November. Masterclass applications open Wednesday 15 August and tickets to EQUITANA are on sale now. For more information visit, www.equitana.com.au/ticketing