Equestrian legends from opposite sides of the world have been getting into the Olympic spirit ahead of the Paris Games. Andrew Hoy and Carl Hester discussed the highs and lows of their impressive careers and what motivates them to stay at the top of their game for so long.
The event and dressage rider met at Burghley House to share their stories. Carl, 57, heads to his seventh Olympics this month to represent Team GB, while Australian eventer Andrew Hoy, 65, has been to eight Games for his country. Both have won Olympic gold — though individual medals have as yet eluded Carl.
The pair met at the home of Defender Burghley Horse Trials to learn from Miranda Rock, who lives at Burghley, about the house’s own Paris Olympic history. Miranda’s grandfather, Lord David Burghley, was himself an Olympian who competed at the 1924 Paris Olympics a century ago. He then won gold for hurdling four years later, and helped bring the 1948 Olympics to London before starting the Horse Trials in 1961.
Building a partnership
“Another Olympic year, the dinosaurs are back,'” joked Carl. “I remember after London thinking, ‘I’ve finally got a gold medal, I won’t go again, but here I am [on the Paris team].”
Carl and Andrew said the key to their longevity was the enduring fasciation of working with horses “and trying to take that horse all the way through — building a partnership.”
Both riders will be attending Defender Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September) and a programme about their meeting and memories can be found on Burghley TV here.
“Burghley has amazing Olympic connections and a whole ‘Olympic corridor’ in the house that celebrates them,” added Martyn Johnson, Event Director of Burghley Horse Trials. “So to welcome two legendary athletes with strong Burghley links ahead of Paris was very special for all of us.”
Lead image by LBHT
