Bettina Hoy lost ride on Lanfranco TSF to Andrew

[RacetrackReject]

I just saw this while scrolling through Facebook. It seems, due to the divorce, the horse has now gone to Andrew.

Bettina seems fairly upset about it and posted “I hope and wish that Lanfranco TSF will be treated in the way a horse with such great potential and sensitive spirit deserves, with care and respect. I will keep my fingers crossed that a harmonious and balance team develops, and that Lanfranco TSF achieves in the future, the success he deserves.”

I guess I never really thought about a top rider losing a top horse due to divorce, but I guess when your other half is also a rider, it is definitely a possibility. I am also wondering if her quote above is a slight dig to say she doesn’t think Andrew will provide the proper environment for the horse.

[Danny1234]

Well, rumours, talk, FEI-hearings even are one thing, but is was out for everyone to witness how many times Andrew took Rutherglen out in early 2012 until he finally achieved a performance that got him nominated for the Olympics, but of course, the horse was only 9 years old then and just loved being run so often! :o

Needless to say, Lanfranco does happen to be a very special horse, concerning the way he needs to be treated. Personally I don’t think anyone but Bettina would have the patience/skill/horsemanship to deal with him.

Funny btw., out of the 4 horses A. Hoy now rides, 3 were formerly ridden by Bettina. Also interesting, in the four years they’re separated he hasn’t found one single new owner, yet obviously is totally desperate for a new ride! Either that or just vengeance, not exactly reflecting well on one’s character. And although he’s not the first one to go ugly in divorce proceedings, leaving us with the impression that he never considered the horse’s interest in this rider change, happens to not reflect well on him as a horseman.

[CrowneDragon]

I have no inside info for whatever the truth is in this story, but I hope the horse doesn’t get the short end of the deal. After watching a couple of his meltdowns, very tactfully handled by Bettina, I hope he finds a good fit with Andrew. Who knows, maybe it will even be better.

[LAZ]

After watching the horse completely lose it at Burghley this year I’d have to think Bettina might be snickering over her ex getting the ride, LOL.

[Jealoushe]

It really breaks my heart that she said this horse was her soul mate. It seems like they had a really special connection.

[retreadeventer]

Bettina is so incredibly talented and devoted to eventing. She was a hero to me starting way back in the 1984 Olympics, when she was on the German event team (a feat in itself! - they did not want to name a woman at all and I recall she was a 2nd alternate, then someone went lame, and she was 1st alternate, and something else happened and they had no other rider and had to name her - something like that) and completed that XC - and was so elated, she was crying and hugging everyone in sight, including myself, as a volunteer I was in the barn area on XC day doing something - her groom would be washing down her horse, they would stop spraying him, hug, cry, and then go back to washing him down…a phenomenal rider and horsewoman. I know that however things were toward the end, and however they are now, at one time she was extremely devoted to Andrew. My mother, in a tour of Australia in the 80’s was treated to visiting their station and remembers speaking with her there, as she trained the horses on the Hoy ranch, with Andrew, at that time – can you imagine from Europe to the outback to keep eventing at the highest levels. This is all that I know but I know that when she comes to the US and teaches, there is a waiting list, and anyone who works with her improves and their horses tend to go kindly. I wish her only the best and hope that she can go forward and continue success in the horse world. Maybe this is closure and she can go on. One hopes!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I don’t know anything about them personally, just read the article in the Horse and Hound…but I do remember seeing Lanfranco TSF for the first time in the jog up at Burghley in 2012. He was really a stand out and very impressive. Just a beautiful looking and moving horse. He really caught my eye at the jog and I made a point to watch him and cheer him on the rest of the weekend. He was JUST as impressive of a mover at the Jog after xc too! Divorce is never a fun thing…

[JER]

What a nightmare. I’m never getting married.

[Foxtrot_s]

Maybe she’ll go back to Germany?