WILTSHIRE riders Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks and Andrew Hoy had their places in Australia's eventing team for London 2012 confirmed today.

The Little Cheverell-based couple and Hoy, who is based in Badbury, north of Marlborough, had their selections ratified by the Australia Olympic Committee after appeals against the make-up of the team were thrown out.

It means Hoy, 53, who will ride Rutherglen, becomes the first Australia competitor to take part in seven Olympic Games, having already had three gold and one silver medal to his name.

He said: “The feeling changes from each Olympics because as you get older you value things more – you value the results, you value the opportunities and you value life more.

“When I made my sixth Olympics I thought there might be a possibility of getting the record. But when it comes to representing your country, that’s not the record you’re aiming for, it’s just a nice little extra.

"The goal is to be successful and produce a world class performance.”

The Fredericks line up for their second Olympics, after helping Australia to team silver four years ago in Beijing.

Clayton, who rode Olympic horse Bendigo at the test event in London last year, said: “We have been overwhelmed with all the phone calls, texts, emails, Twitter and Facebook comments of support we have both received this week after our nominations and hope to do everyone proud.

"I am thrilled to be on the team, over the next five weeks myself and the other team members will be working really hard to ensure a great performance at the Olympic Games.''

Lucinda added: “The Olympics is very special and to have another crack of it is fantastic.

"I’m obviously delighted after Flying Finish’s fantastic results at Luhmuhlen (last month) to have now got the spot on the team”.

Shane Rose, a 2008 silver medallist in Beijing alongside the Fredericks, and Christopher Burton, who competed at the Barbury Horse Trials last weekend, complete the Australian line-up.

MORE NEWS OF WILTSHIRE'S OLYMPIANS IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPIC SECTIONS AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK