The 27-year-old showjumper is now at the forefront of Australian selectors’ minds for inclusion in the equestrian team that will head to next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Hill, who works at the family supermarket in Clunes, told The Courier he has been included in a shortlist that will be trimmed to make the final squad of riders.

“I’ve got to keep performing here until early next year and then head to Europe and then go from there. They pick the team over there,” Hill said.

“Europe is where showjumping is really big and they jump for millions and not thousands.”

Hill credited much of his recent success – which includes victory in the Grand Prix at last month’s Australian Showjumping Championships, in which he placed second overall in the series – to his horse Yalambi's Bellini Star.

“It has always been good as a young horse - it’s now really hitting its straps now its got experience at the top level,” Hill said of his mare.

“You can be the best rider in the world, but if you haven’t got the horse to match it, it makes it a little bit harder."

Australia secured its place in the showjumping event at Rio during August when the team – which didn’t feature Hill – placed second in a regional qualifier in Hagen, Germany.

The 2016 Games are set to be the third-straight time the Aussies have qualified full teams across all three equestrian disciplines (including eventing and dressage).

Next year’s Games will be held between August 5-21.