Andrew Hoy at the WEG Tryon 2018 Test Event

Read the excellent story written by seven-time Olympian Andrew Hoy on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 Eventing Test Event that took place last week at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (USA).
The week served as a WEG Test Event and riders caught a glimpse of what is to come this September.

"The bags are packed, Basmati is out hand grazing and Tryon Equestrian Centre has turned into a busy cleaning up mode to be ready for its next visitors.

We have had the most wonderful week at Tryon with Basmati – which is all owed to Basmati´s owners, John & Louise Ayre. John and Louise are and have always been an outstanding support, wonderful owners and – more than anything – very dear friends. Without their generous support our “operation Tryon” would not have been possible.

A very big Thanks also goes to my fantastic Head Girl Lucy, who has travelled with Basmati, and the whole Hoy Team at Home, as well as our super Physio Iris - Team Work Makes The Dream Work! I couldn´t to it without all your support!

I am so delighted for for John & Louise Ayre that Basmati, who they have owned since we bought him as a 6 year old at Elmar Lesch´s yard in Germany, has shown his promising talent to become a ‘big time horse’ for the future. Exciting times ahead!

Basmati, who has finished the 2017 season on a very good run and placing at his first CCI2* at Osberton, has – due to the bad weather in the UK – had only one Intermediate run before boarding his flight to the US to run in his first ever CIC3* class.

While he was still a little tight in his Dressage test he showed what he is going to be capable of in time – he already scored some 8s, so I think his Dressage test was a little bit like the venue here at Tryon: A lot of it is already very good, some things are still ‘work in progress’ and will just take time to develop – but you can already see that the finished product will be outstanding.

The cross country was – for me – the most important part of our ‘testing operation’. I have known Capt. Mark Phillips for many years and highly respect him as one of the world´s leading Course Designers – all of his courses ride well with positive forward riding on a well-balanced horse. This course was no exception – a very well built and beautifully designed 3* course over rolling terrain which gave all the riders a good impression of the terrain, ground and feeling to be expected for the WEG course in September. Even though the WEG course will include an impressive hill – yet to be built – for the last third of the course.

Basmati felt very well and fresh on Sunday morning and went into the last phase, the showjumping, with great enthusiasm. He jumped a super round showing his great scope – only to have the last fence down, which I have to take as my own fault. One stride less in this distance and it would have been a clear round – with just some time penalties to add.

Nevertheless – I could not be any more proud of this super young horse. He has taken the long travel and big competition so well in his stride and has grown up a lot over the duration of his trip. It was encouraging to receive so much positive feedback on his performance here at Tryon and I am very excited to now take him back home, give him a well-deserved break and then carry on our route of producing him for the top level.

It has been a wonderful experience - as well as a great “pathfinding mission” with many learnings - to compete at the beautiful Tryon venue and now it´s time to get back to my wonderful boys and girls in the UK. Can´t wait to see them!

Next major event to come – Sopot CCI3* for Vassily de Lassos, Composer and Hasenacher Jack Sparrow."

Andrew Hoy

To view more great photos, visit his website at

Article courtesy of Equestrian Australia