“I thought he’d live forever but he is here in our hearts and our minds” says Australia’s Natalie Blundell after hearing of the passing of the superstar grey ‘pocket rocket’ Algebra
An off the track thoroughbred, Algebra was owned by Julia McLean and John Glenn, who entrusted him to Nat’s care as a potential eventing horse for sale. However, Nat and Algebra (Sam) soon went up through the grades, competing at many CCI4*’s together, finishing second at the Australian International 3 Day Event in 2012 before heading overseas to compete at Badminton, Luhmuhlen and Burghley CCI5* in 2014; needless to say, he was never sold
They were part of two winning Australian Trans Tasman (Oceania) teams at Kihikihi, New Zealand (third individually), and at Sydney International (fourth individually) as well as being reserve for the 2014 World Equestrian Games and on Elite squad for the London Olympics
After spending time in the UK with her coach and mentor Andrew Hoy, Nat returned to Australia, leaving Algebra in Andrew’s care.
“2015 was ‘our year’ - winning the CCI4*-L at Montelibretti and also the CCI4*-L at Haras du Pin” says Andrew on his social media. They also competed at various British Eventing national competitions, including Rockingham International (see video above) in 2015 and 2017 against some of the best in the world in the hotly contested Advanced Intermediate class
“He was far from the easiest horse to ride and train. Lots of scary moments especially hacking him in the early days out which was like taking your life into your hands.
Any little noise or excuse to just take off at a gallop down the hill with me eyeballing him was not necessarily fun” says Nat of the feisty horse with a distinctive way of going on cross country
“He had his own style and I remember the commentary of Lucinda Green at our first Adelaide 4 star commenting that he looks like he is fighting me and him going around with his head upside down coming into the massive fences. Then Fiona Hughes commented back ‘that’s the way he goes’ 
I was devastated to say goodbye to Sam all those years ago when I left the UK but was happy to see that his journey was continued with Andrew Hoy and then so thankful to his long standing owners Julia McLean and John Glenn to bring him home and give him the retirement he deserved”
Algebra passed away on 15th November 2022 - his 25th Birthday - at John & Julia’s property in Australia
Nat Blundell and Algebra at Badminton 2014
