Vassily's Welfare Comes Before Olympic Dreams, Says Hoy

Australian hero speaks following the Paris 2024 qualifier...

Eventing legend Andrew Hoy said he and Australia were willing to put their Paris 2024 dreams on the line to ensure the welfare of star horse Vassily De Lassos.

The Aussies confirmed their Paris spot at the Millstreet qualifier over the weekend, but they had to do it without six-time Olympic medallist Hoy and his highly rated chestnut on the final day of competition after Vassily picked up a minor cut during the cross country phase.

While so much was at stake for Hoy and his teammates, there was no chance of them risking Vassily’s well-being. Sure enough, Shenae Lowings, Shane Rose and Kevin McNab produced fine performances in the jumping phase to ensure Australia – who won Team silver at Tokyo 2020 – took top spot and one of the two Paris 2024 places on offer, alongside China, at Millstreet.

“Australia was in a good position after cross country, but our situation was irrelevant. For me, the priority always has to be the welfare of the horse regardless of what that means for the competition, even if it’s the Olympics,” Hoy told FEI.org after the FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event for Groups F & G (Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, and Oceania).

“Vassily had performed really well in dressage and then also in the cross country, but there maybe just was something in his rhythm towards the end of that phase. I mentioned it to the vet and groom after finishing and when I returned after attending commitments it became clear Vassily had sustained a very minor puncture wound to a coronet band out on course.

“While it was minor, it was sore, so we made the decision with the grooms and the Australian team that for the welfare of horse we would not be present for jumping on day three.”

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