Andrew Hoy’s attention-grabbing trip Hasenacher Balou Couleur has moved to Germany’s Michael Jung, because the Australian rider ramps up his arrangements to focus on his 9th Olympic Video games.
The 11-year-old gelding, via Balou Du Rouet, was once bred in Australia via Melissa Froesch, and began his pageant as an match horse with Andrew sooner than switching to showjumping.
“I will be able to nonetheless vividly bear in mind the day Balou arrived at my backyard – it was once Valentine’s Day, we had loads of snow and it was once minus 8 levels,” mentioned Andrew.
“Balou had simply pop out of quarantine in Australia and a summer season of 40 levels – and arrived right here within the worst imaginable wintery prerequisites the United Kingdom has were given on be offering.”
He added that they “temporarily came upon” that Balou’s “real love and true ability” was once within the showjumping area.
“He is an outstanding horse in such a lot of tactics – outstanding in his ability, outstanding in his persona, outstanding in his seems to be,” mentioned Andrew.
“I’ve cherished our journeys across the Eu showjumping excursions – there’s not anything that compares to the sensation of leaping a fence with him – the sky’s the prohibit.
“The 2024 season is upon us and with it being an Olympic yr I wish to direct all my focal point and all my time directly to my eventing horses, so it was once time to paintings on a subsequent bankruptcy for Balou, along with his maximum superb proprietor and expensive pal Barbara Keller and the Hasenacher Stud.”
Andrew, who has been a Hasenacher Stud rider since 2014, will proceed his partnership with the stud’s match horses.
Michael was once Andrew and Barbara’s “first selection” of rider and Balou will sign up for the eventing Rolex Grand Slam winner’s string of showjumpers.
“Michael is an outstanding rider and horseman and we each have such a lot admire for him: As a rider, as an individual and as a pal,” mentioned Andrew.
“Everybody on the Hoy crew can be lacking seeing Balou´s cheeky little face over his strong door – however all of us are excited to practice his adventure and notice what he and Michael can succeed in in combination.”
You may additionally be curious about:
Credit score: Long run
Horse & Hound mag, out each and every Thursday, is full of all of the newest information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. In finding how you’ll revel in the mag delivered on your door each and every week, plus choices to improve your subscription to get right of entry to our on-line provider that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.
