Hoy's campaign hit by Badminton setback

TRIPLE Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy's Olympic campaign was dealt a severe blow at the weekend when he was eliminated from the three-day event at the Badminton Horse Trials in England.

Hoy was leading on 35.4 penalty points after the dressage discipline but was disqualified after his horse, Moon Fleet, had a fall in the cross-country.
The 49-year-old Australian won the event on Moon Fleet in 2006.
Compatriot Clayton Fredericks, riding Nullabor, was also in the top 10 after the dressage, but he and Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney, riding Vettori, retired during the cross-country. Fredericks was not riding his top horse and is expected to compete on Ben Along Time in the United Kingdom later this month.
The highest-placed Australian going into the showjumping last night was Matt Ryan, riding Bonza Puzzle. He was 10th on 56.3 penalty points.
There are five positions up for grabs in the Australian Olympic eventing team, to be announced on July 4.
Sonja Johnson, of Western Australia, has strong claims to a spot after winning the Bates Sydney International Three-Day event last month.
Selectors will be watching Shane Rose's performance at the Melbourne International next month. He was leading going into the showjumping at the Sydney International, but was ruled out after his horse, All Luck, failed to trot up.
The Beijing Olympic equestrian events will be staged in Hong Kong from August 9-21.