And Blundell is hoping some expert tutelage from three-time gold medal winner Hoy gives her a competitive edge for the Canberra horse trials this weekend and the Australian International event in Adelaide next month.

Hoy has spent the past two days at Murrumbateman working with Blundell and a host of rising riders to help fine-tune their skills.

A chance meeting between Hoy and Blundell in Thailand started a coaching relationship.

Blundell missed out on a spot at the London Olympics last year, but it has motivated her to chase selection for the world equestrian games in France next year and then Rio in 2016.

''You get so much out of just listening to him talk … I've grabbed him with both hands to come and help me and I'm hoping to get the edge over everyone else,'' Blundell said.

''I'm a gung-ho rider from the bush. Andrew talks a lot about rhythm and balance. I like riding quite fast but he wants to slow the tempo down and create a softer appearance. It makes it just smoother and a bit more classical.''

Hoy, 54, is regarded as one of Australia's greatest equestrian riders.

He i based in the United Kingdom and made his Olympic debut in 1984. He won gold medals in 1992 and 1996 and gold and silver at the Sydney Games in 2000.

''Nat can absolutely get to that level, she has the ability but it's all about performances and you need the right performances at the right time,'' Hoy said.

''Next year is a major year for selection and in the run to Rio everything counts. You have to be on the button in 2016.''

Hoy is back in Australia to attend the Melbourne Cup next week and has been back to work with Blundell three times this year.

Blundell has five horses entered in the Canberra trials, which includes dressage, show jumping and cross country at Equestrian Park.

Blundell does most of her riding in Australia but is contemplating travelling to Europe to boost her selection chances if she can finance a trip.

Hoy said it would give Blundell greater exposure to tougher competition. The veteran still has plans to compete in Rio himself.

''You can never keep going forever, there has to be an end at some time,'' Hoy said. ''But Rio is something I'm definitely interested in looking at and I believe I've got very good horse power.

''But everyone starts with a clean sheet. I've got a horse that ran in London and he'll be at a good age in Rio, but that doesn't automatically mean selection.''

CANBERRA HORSE TRIALS

Saturday and Sunday: 8am-6pm on both days at Equestrian Park, Curtin.