Review of 2007

The 2007 season did not start as we had hoped but luckily the close was much better.

At the start we had two big contenders for the Badminton CCI****, Master Monarch and Moon Fleet so having to withdraw both of them was a real blow to the Hoy Team.

Master Monarch was found to be suffering from damage to his Cervical Cord and Moon Fleet had a partial paralysis to his Left Larynx.

We have been very fortunate as Master Monarch recovered so well that he was able to compete at Burghley this year finishing an amazing 3rd. When he first became sick Andrew was worried that he would never compete again so Burghley was a very special day for both Andrew and the Owners – Tom Attwood & Richard Constant. Now that he has fully recovered and proven himself he has to be a serious contender for the Beijing Olympics next year – 2008.

Moon Fleet had a tie back operation which we feel has been a success. He is back in full training and is being very cheeky, so the aim now will be to qualify him for the Beijing Olympics by going to Badminton in 2008.

Balloo was a new addition to the Hoy Team in 2007, he started slowly and took a while to build up, he competed in some 3* competitions this year so next year Andrew will be planning on securing him at that level.

Grand Joca missed most of the 2007 season due to minor injuries, he competed at Barroca in December and finished 4th. In 2008 he will be aimed at 3* level.

Yeoman’s Point is also for sale and is a proven 4* horse, a wonderful ride and therefore could make an ideal horse for the Olympics. Andrew is reluctant to sell him but due to private matters with the owners he has to be sold.

Classy Touch is for sale and is a proven 4* horse and could be a serious contender for the Olympics.

Lanfranco is a new edition to the Hoy Team having been purchased in Germany in the summer. He will be aimed at 2* level next year and Bettina has high hopes for him being a potential London 2012 horse and the 2010 Kentucky World Equestrian Games.

Ringwood Cockatoo qualified for Beijing at Pratoni where he showed his awesome ability and what a great combination horse and rider are by winning an Individual Bronze Medal for Germany. It was Germany’s only medal at the Championships! Cockatoo has to be a strong contender for the Olympics in 2008, it is compulsory for all potential German Olympic horses to compete at Luhmuhlen CNC*** which is run alongside the 4* and Aachen CIC*** which is in preparation for Beijing.

Looks Like Red is one of Bettina’s youngsters, he will be aimed at the Burghley Young Event Horse competitions next year and some intro’s.

Rutherglen is another of Bettina’s youngsters and will begin competed in 2008 also starting in the Burghley Young Event Horse competitions. He was purchased in the summer of this year, also from Germany.

Peaceful Warrior unfortunately had to miss most of the 2007 season due to having operations on both his eyes for Cataracts at Liverpool University Hospital, which specialise in such operations. We will just have to wait to see if they have been a success, at present we have to stay positive and keep our fingers crossed.

STUDENT / WORKING PUPILS

Yoshi has qualified 2 horses for the Beijing Olympic Games – Khanjer Black and Gorgeous George so hopefully he will have enough points to go. The Hoy Team is very happy with Yoshi’s results as he very narrowly missed out on competing in Athens at the 2004 Olympic Games so we all hope he will make go to Beijing/Hong Kong.

Tegan came over to join the Hoy Team from Australia in May 2007 with her 2 horses, Devereaux Blinky Bill and Devereaux Master Buzz, They have both taken a while to settle in the UK and become acclimatised to their change of lives in both feed, climate and the increase in their work load. Both horses competed with Tegan this year and were placed in their first 1* so everything is going in the right direction and they look forward to competing a lot more in 2008.

Daiki is now getting more opportunities to ride and is gaining more experience every day. His knowledge is constantly growing and we hope with the talent he has that is constantly improving he may one day be part of a Japanese Team.

Analisa Hegyesi purchased Leap of Joy from the Hoys earlier this year and Papillion from the Young Horse Championships in Germany in 2006. Due to the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia, Analisa has moved to the UK to pursue her dreams of competing at the top level of eventing and also to receive top tuition by basing herself at the Hoy Stables with her two horses.