Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos Bring Home Bronze at Luhmühlen CCI4*

This weekend Germany hosted the rescheduled German Eventing Championships in CCI4*S format at Luhmühlen, with a field boasting some of the best eventers in Europe ensuring the competition for top honours was fierce.

In addition to the German contingent of entries riders from Australia, Sweden, Spain and Lithuania also took part in the competition.

The calibre of competition was at an exceptional standard from the very first day with all top 10 riders securing dressage scores of sub thirty.

Andrew and ‘Vassily’, who is owned by David and Paula Evans, produced a beautiful test to sit in 9th position after day one of competition with a score of 28.7. Andrew described the duo’s performance as “a super dressage test in a strong field” which set the pair up for a dream run for the remaining two phases.

The cross country course was nothing short of a Championship track which proved technically difficult and tight for time. However, a quick and clear round for Andrew and ‘Vassily’ saw them move up the leader board from 9th to 3rd place. Andrew and ‘Vassily’ were one of only two combinations to complete the course under time and with no jumping faults.

“Vassily de Lassos once more proved his incredible quality and speed across the country by delivering one of only two clear rounds inside the time over a very testing track” described Andrew.

The final phase of the competition took place on Sunday as the riders contested the final standings with the showjumping phase. Again, Andrew and ‘Vassily’ jumped clear securing them third place in a tough field.

“A super ‘FOD’ (finish on dressage) for David & Paula Evans’ Vassily de Lassos at CCI4*S Luhmühlen to finish the weekend in 3rd place. 291 Days on the Road to Tokyo” said an elated Andrew.

"We have had an incredible weekend at Luhmühlen, which is only possible with the support of a huge amount of people. First of all to Vassily de Lassos, my soulmate - you are my best friend, my ‘partner in crime’ - a horse that dreams are made of. To Vassily’s owners David and Paula Evans, who make our partnership possible and who are always there to support us and who are the ‘Ginger Unicorn’s biggest fan squad.

"To my amazing team - at the show as well as at home - for their hard work, dedication, long hours and love for our wonderful horses. To my fantastic coaches - the ‘Dressage Master’ Gareth Hughes - the Cross Country Genius Capt. Mark Phillips and the Showjumping legend himself - Nelson Pessoa. It is an honour to work with you!

With all of this there is a huge credit to EA High performance - especially Chris Webb, Erin O’Neill and KP Neuberg, who go above and beyond to support us and help us to be the best we can be every day” describes Andrew.

Full results can be found here

Article courtesy of Equestrian Australia