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Australian eventer Sophia Hill and her off the track Thoroughbred Humble Glory have had an overseas campaign to remember – and it’s not over yet. They’ve completed three four-star events in the UK, joined the Australian pre-Olympic Games training camp, and are now making their final preparations for Burghley Horse Trials.
Sophia and Humble Glory (Camon Houdini) – Photo: Michelle Terlato Photograpy
“It was a great experience being part of the Australian eventing pre-Games training camp,” says Sophia. As a short-listed combination, she and Humble Glory joined the camp alongside team riders Chris Burton and Shadow Man, Shane Rose and Virgil, and Kevin McNab and Don Quidam, as well as travelling reserve Shenae Lowings and her off the track Thoroughbred Bold Venture.
“It was cool training alongside the other top riders, seeing how they were all preparing for the Games, and being part of those final preparations myself. As reserves, we were really expected to prepare as if we were going and be ready right until the last minute in case we were called up, so that was certainly a cool experience.”
Sophia is rightfully proud of just how close she and Hughie came to making an Olympic team. “Realising just how close I was to getting to go to the Games, even though I didn’t, was pretty amazing. It makes you keen to aim for the next one, that’s for sure! I loved it and it was a great team environment. I learned a lot from seeing everyone make their final preparations.”
Valuable competition experience
Competition-wise, Sophia and Hughie have completed three CCI4*S events since travelling to the UK in April. “This campaign with Hughie has gone really well so far. I am really happy with how he’s performed; I feel like we’ve both gotten lots of experience that we wouldn’t have been able to get back in Australia,” explains Sophia.
“At Bicton and Bramham he jumped double clears and finished on his dressage score, which was fantastic. We opted to have a slower run at Hartpury, but he jumped a double clear there as well and that’s our last preparation run before Burghley.”
A ‘slower run’ for the Aussie Thoroughbred still only saw Hughie accumulate 6.4 time penalties!
Sophia also took her other off the track Thoroughbred, Seattle Park, to the UK – and it’s been a very worthwhile experience for him as well. “Basil has had a fantastic time over here. The experience he has gained in these few short months is experience he couldn’t have gained in the same timeframe in Australia, with the quality of UK events, the exposure to crowds, the cross country courses, and the schooling available.
“He’s come such a long way from being a three-star horse to a fantastic four-star horse in not that long, and he is feeling really solid at the level. He’s definitely gained valuable experience from the trip, so it’s been very worthwhile for him.”
Burghley Horse Trials
Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September) will be Sophia and Hughie’s final event before heading home to Australia.
“I’m really excited to get there, see the event, and be part of it. We’ve done all of our preparation; we’ve just been doing the final touches over the last few weeks. We’re just really looking forward to it and hopefully we will have a great time. We fly home the Tuesday after Burghley. We are really looking forward to catching up with everyone back home in Australia after being away for such a long time!”