Manuel Senra Chover and Cruising on cross country
The Spanish team of Maria Pinedo Sendagorta, Esteban Benitez Valle, Carlos Diaz Fernandez and Albert Hermoso Farras finished seventh at the 2017 European Championships while Manuel Senra Chover, riding as an individual for Spain completed in 41st place
However, when their riders exited the show jumping arena on Sunday, you would have thought they had won team and individual gold!
Manuel riding Cruising produced the first clear show jumping round of the day and the whole team was delighted with their performance –so much so that their Chef d’Equipe found himself thrown into the air by his team in celebration
‘But he is going to have to lose weight before we do that again!’ says Australian rider Andrew Hoy, who is coaching the Spanish team. The Spanish riders may have plenty to work on for the future, admits Andrew but, ‘it is an absolute joy to work with them’
‘The one thing about the Spanish is that they always enjoy the moment!’
Andrew himself had a special moment in his life recently when his wife Steffi had their baby daughter Philippa Isabel Jane on 3rd August
“I had never experienced a moment like this” says the man who has experienced many ‘golden’ moments “It is very, very special and it’s an absolute joy to have Philippa as part of our family”
Andrew Hoy
Andrew Hoy swopped his green and gold for Spanish team colours at the Europeans
