Hoy has sights on Burghley after Olympics knock back

Culcairn-born Hoy, who owns Somerby Stables, has appeared at every Games since 1984, with the exception of Beijing eight years ago.

However the 57-year-old missed the cut from Equestrian Australia’s long-list for a staging camp later this month which will help decide the four-rider eventing team to compete in Rio.

But, while determined to support every second of Australia’s campaign in Brazil next month, he admits it will be tinged with sadness that he isn’t riding alongside them.

“I am disappointed that I haven’t met part of the selection criteria, but all I could do was to produce performances as good as I could,” said Hoy.

“Obviously management and selectors thought that it wasn’t sufficient, and I can’t change what has happened. I will move on.

“I know that if I was to go to Rio as part of the Australian team, I would do a good job.”

The only Australian to have competed in seven Olympics, Hoy first won gold in the team event at Barcelona 1992 before repeating the trick at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 – also winning individual silver at the latter.

But, despite his disappointment in not being able to create more history in national colours, he admits he couldn’t be more thrilled with his achievements on the Olympic stage.

“It is something to be incredibly proud of,” said Hoy, who is confirmed to compete at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, in Stamford, in September.

“Unfortunately, this is one event in my life that I’m actually not going to that I was preparing for.

“The fact that I’ve been to seven Olympics is absolutely wonderful. There has only been one Olympics that I haven’t produced a personal best and that was in Athens.”

The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are being held from September 1 to 4.

Go online at www.burghley-horse.co.uk for more details about an event which has been an Autumn sporting calendar highlight for 50 years.