法華津選手（Hoketu player）

日本馬術連盟は５日、ロンドン五輪の馬場馬術代表に７０歳の法華津（アバロン・ヒルサイドファーム）を決めたと発表した。法華津は障害飛越で出場した６４年の東京、６７歳で日本選手として史上最年長で出場した北京に続き３度目の五輪。ロンドンでは７１歳での出場となり、自身の最年長記録を塗り替える。
　同連盟によると、法華津は、五輪ランキングの最終日となる１日にフランスで開かれた国際大会で優勝し、東南アジア・オセアニア地区でトップになり、五輪出場枠を獲得した。東京五輪では障害飛越で４０位、８８年のソウルでも代表に選ばれたが、馬が検疫に引っかかったため出場を断念。北京五輪は馬場馬術で３４位だった。
　法華津は「５週連続の大会出場という強行軍だったが、競技を重ねるごとに馬の調子がよくなった。奇跡が起きたようなもので、信じられない気持ち」とコメントした。人馬一体になって行う競技ですから馬に依存する部分が多いのかもしれませんが、それにしても騎乗する本人の体力や知力も重要でしょうから71歳での出場決定は凄いことですね。それにしても若い方は出てこないんでしょうかね。

Japan Equestrian Federation on October 5 announced that it had decided to (Avalon Hill farm side) to 70-year-old Tsu Hokke dressage representative of the London Olympics. Hokke Tsu is the third Olympics in Beijing, followed by history as the oldest player played in Tokyo Japan, at the age of 64 years who participated in 67 of show jumping. Will be played in London at the age of 71, set a new record of the oldest of their own.

According to the same federation, Tsu Hokke, you won the international competition held in France in one day and the last day of the Olympics ranking, Southeast Asia and Oceania will be at the top in the district, who won the Olympic berth. Olympics in Tokyo # 40 in show jumping, was chosen to represent in Seoul in 1988, participation abandon the horse was caught in the quarantine order. Beijing Olympics was ranked 34 in the dressage.

Hokke Tsu, "It was a forced march of that tournament five consecutive weeks, is like a miracle has happened. Condition of the horse is getting better with each competition, an incredible feeling," commented with. Maybe not often depends on the horse part is the competition from the men and horses to do it together, participate in decisions at the age of 71 is great because it is also important will and intellect of his physical strength to ride Anyway. Younger or I would not come out Anyway.