Like most of us, UK-based Australian eventer Chris Burton has had an interesting year. However, despite lockdowns and event cancellations, there have been rainbows amongst the clouds — a stunning new training facility, an exciting team of horses, and more time with family means Chris can see a bright side to 2020.
“I’ve got a couple of nice
ones that are stepping up.”
Prior to April, Chris Burton was busy preparing his team for the home stretch in terms of Tokyo Olympics team selection. Of course, that changed thanks to Covid-19. From his new base in Beaminster, Dorset, Chris explains that managing his “amazing team of horses” has been a juggling act this year.
The lockdown period itself shut down events and even coaching for some time, meaning it all came down to training at home and waiting to see what would happen next. Events are now back in full swing, but there is still plenty of uncertainty.
“As we came out of lockdown many events started again — aside from the big ones that couldn’t run, because of the financial restrictions that come along with Covid-19 — and so we almost ended up back in full swing quite quickly,” says Chris.
“We then had a dilemma with some of the horses as to what’s the best thing for them to do with Tokyo in mind. As we start to move into winter time… there’s a little bit of fearmongering about a second lockdown and quite a lot of uncertainty around whether some of these events will run.
“Now that that’s fine, I can live with that. But the issue I’m having is that if we choose to do a long format four or five-star event, for example, we’ve got to start getting these horses fit. I’m a little bit reluctant to go headstrong into that this year, in case they then say the competitions won’t run. No one’s got a crystal ball, and so that’s a little bit of juggling from our end.”
Having said that, Chris hopes to be at Pau in France this month, the only CCI5* scheduled between now and 2021. “I’ve got some nice horses that are out competing and I’m confident that next year there will be even more of a push to try and get things back to normal.”
The extra 12 months added to the Tokyo timeline does mean that some of his older horses that were once in contention may not be come 2021, however, with some talented younger horses coming through and stepping up, the timing gives them the chance to shine. Chris is excited to see the youngsters develop and reach their potential over the next few years. “I’ve got a couple of nice ones that are stepping up. One of them is Leopard’s Action, who Carolyn and Tony Townsend very kindly purchased for me at the start of this year.
“He strikes us as a real Burghley horse; he’s a very good jumper. He was second in a long three-star this year, and he will be a top one for the future. His best is still a little way off. We’ve also got a very nice horse called Jefferson 18. He got caught out a little bit green in the French Nations Cup event in August (where he picked up 20 penalties on the cross country), but we think he’s a very good horse for the future and we’re quite excited to see what he might do.”
In addition, the beautiful stallion Caliber Royale has returned to training as the UK breeding season winds up. A German-bred Holstein stallion with plenty of thoroughbred blood, Caliber Royale competed to CCI1* before transitioning to showjumping and reaching CSI3* 1.40m level earlier this year. Chris describes the stallion as “an outstanding athlete who finds everything so easy”, and he’s been having a great time in the showjumping arena.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been an event rider — I’ve just had the odd showjumping horse to ride… which I enjoy, it’s quite fun! At the moment I’ve got a small team of jumpers here, including Caliber Royale. Again, it’s just something that’s a bit of a hobby for me and a bit of a pastime and something that I’ve always enjoyed.” Chris recently competed at historic Hickstead, and said it was a thrill to ride on the hallowed turf.
“The EA High Performance
program has done a great job.”
“Part of that jumping inspiration has come from the High Performance program, thanks to their involvement with Nelson Pessoa. He’s been an incredible inspiration for my jump riding and has helped me so much with the eventers and my jump riding in general. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity via the High Performance program to train with such a master of the sport. I really can’t believe my luck to spend time with such an equestrian legend.”
Chis has been involved with EA’s High Performance team for many years, and recently he’s enjoyed taking on somewhat of a mentoring role. During the lockdown period earlier this year, the High Performance team implemented a number of initiatives to help keep the squad riders connected and motivated — and these initiatives are still continuing.
“The EA High Performance program has done a great job of keeping us all inspired, just in the little ways that they can. I must say, our program is in great shape these days; it’s really well run. We’ve had WhatsApp groups and Zoom meetings for the squad riders, for example. They’re keeping us motivated and inspired, and keeping our eye on the target. It has kept us all connected, and it has been fantastic to see everyone in Australia!”
“Anyone that comes
here and trains is just
blown away.”
Chris explains the better connection between squad members has been one of the positives to come from Covif-19. “Virtual connection is a powerful tool for everyone going forward. It’s provided a great way to talk face to face with some of the NEXT squad riders. Something that I’ve always wanted to do, and have been passionate about wanting to do, is just being there to help and give a little bit of advice if I can, and just hear from them, talk to them and try to inspire them.”
You can catch up on the Equestrian High Performance program and how they are supporting Australia’s next generation of eventing stars by revisiting the August issue of Equestrian Life.
While Chris has been busy helping to inspire the next generation, he’s undoubtedly been getting a little inspiration of his own via Chedington Equestrian, the new state-of-the-art training facility in Dorset where his team is now based.
Set up and owned by Ellie and Geoffrey Guy, it’s every rider’s dream come true. “We consider ourselves extremely lucky to be based at Chedington Equestrian. It’s an amazing new facility; anyone that comes here and trains is just blown away. We really have everything you could ever want. We’re so happy, and it’s good for me as it puts some pressure on… there is very little excuse to turn up to an event underprepared when you have these facilities!” laughs Chris.
Despite the challenges 2020 has thrown at Chris and team, there have been a few silver linings — one of which is spending more time with family. “From a riding point of view and my equestrian career, it’s been an odd year like it has for most people. But there have been many positives from it. I’ve had a lovely time with my family. I’ve had more time at home than I normally would.” Spending time with sons Harry and Jack, and of course wife Bek, is something Chris cherishes. In fact, this interview took place as the family hit the road to pick up a brand new horse truck — complete with bunk beds for the kids — so they can go away more as a family to competitions!
Chris explains that Harry and Jack enjoy being around the horses and have a pony of their own that they can play on and sit on in the backyard — but with them both being very young, he and Bek are always keeping on eye on them around the horses. “Like a lot of children that grow up in horsey families, they become a little bit complacent around horses because they are around them all the time, so we have to be a little bit careful of that, and about their safety!”
Chris and Bek have been based in the UK for close to a decade now and love it, however, Chris explains that he wouldn’t be encouraging or discouraging of anyone who is thinking of making the move. A long-standing ambassador for Australian eventing, Chris says that although the UK eventing scene is fantastic, making the move overseas isn’t for everyone — and attaining international level success from Australia is certainly achievable.
“If you want to stay in Australia and stay based there as a professional, there is nothing stopping you. You have everything you need, including fantastic events. It’s been proven that you can beat the rest of the world based from Australia.
“Young Australian eventers… there’s nothing stopping you. You come from a nation that has been very successful in eventing because we’re tough people. My advice would be just stick at it, there is nothing stopping you if you’re good enough!”
Chris and Bek love UK life and plan to remain there for quite some time, but they certainly miss Australia during times like this, and they believe a return to Australian shores one day is on the cards. “There is no doubt in my mind that one day we will move home to Australia. I’m not sure when that will be, but it’s the greatest country on earth and we miss it very much!” EQ
