Earlier,with compatriots Shane Rose and Olympic debutant Kevin McNab watching on,Hoy was flawless and inside the time to hold off France and ensure the Australians would stand on the second tier of the podium behind Great Britain.
Hoy,62,is a complete marvel. He was part of the eventing team that won gold in 1992,1996 and 2000 and team silver was his first medal since the memorable scenes in Sydney 21 years ago,where he also won individual silver.
When asked if it was experience that helped him keep his cool with the silver medal on the line,he replied:“age,I think”.
The British team finished with a total of 86.30 penalties,with Australia 100.20. France won the bronze medal with 101.50 and their jumping performance meant Hoy had no room for error. Afterwards,he paid tribute to both his horse,a 12-year-old chestnut gelding,and the support team that enabled him to soar when it mattered.
“I’ve got a fantastic horse. Vassily de Lassos is one of the world’s greatest horses. He hasn’t won an individual at this point in time but the way he runs cross country,the way that he showjumps,it’s just the little things I’m working on with the dressage and I believe he will be a medal winner himself,” Hoy said.
“It is very,very special. We don’t come to these championships,especially the Olympic Games,to finish fourth,fifth or sixth. We only come to get a medal. It has been a complete team effort. Vassily has done a wonderful job to finish on his dressage score but if it wasn’t for Kevin and Shane and their complete support team,we wouldn’t be here.”