All things considered, 2016 was a very good year for Christopher Burton. It would have been a spectacular year had those costly show jump rails not hit the dirt in Rio, dropping the 35-year-old Australian from first to fifth. An Olympic medal (team bronze) is an Olympic medal, nonetheless.
A few weeks after Rio, ‘Burto’ became the first Australian for a decade to win the four-star at Burghley, one of eventing’s six majors. He ended the year at number three in the world rankings.
Growing up in rural Queensland, cattle and horses were a daily part of life. While brother Karl went on to become a professional in cutting and campdrafting (a cattle cutting and penning sport), Chris chose to take the eventing route, inspired by Australia’s back-to-back Olympic victories in ’92 and ‘96. He ran a successful business near Sydney before relocating to the United Kingdom in 2011 with his wife, Rebekah. The couple are expecting their first child on May 28th.
A championship off-year for Aussies in Europe, Chris says he will focus on the four-stars in 2017 (he recently placed 18th at Badminton with Graf Liberty) while June and July will be “mostly spent trying to adjust to life as a parent.”
How did you get started with horses?
I grew up on a grain farm in Australia in an area where horses are a bit of a way of life. My mum is a fantastic horsewoman and always found us amazing ponies. The pony that really started me was called Spice and she was good at everything, especially jumping. I used to build jumps out of anything I could find. My brother was, and still is, very into mustering [rounding up] cattle and it would drive him crazy that I never focused while we were out mustering; I was always off looking for logs to jump.
Can you identify a turning point in your career?
Yes, it was after a trip to the UK where I came and stayed with [Olympic eventer] Sam Griffiths and had an unsuccessful attempt at Burghley and Badminton. I got an insight into how they did it here with owners, etc. I went back to Australia and really got my head stuck into the business side of it. I am so grateful to my early owners, as they really helped me ‘get on my feet’ in terms of making eventing a career.
Were sacrifices made along the way?
It depends how you define a sacrifice. Of course there was hard work, times when money was so short I had spent my last dollars on horse feed rather than filling my own fridge; long days and nights, time away from friends and family. But I would just say that is all part of getting to where you want to be, rather than a sacrifice.
What is a typical week like for you?
As I am sure you can appreciate, there is no such thing as a typical week. In the height of the season we are either competing at the weekend or away at a three-day event. In amongst that we are fitting in galloping the horses and taking them out for cross-country schooling. I like to hire lots of different show jump arenas and take a full truck out and jump some rounds. I prefer this to actual jumping shows, as I can build the course as tough or easy as the horses need it on the day. Our day on the yard starts at 7 a.m. with feeding and boxes. I start riding around 8 a.m. and if I am home I often teach lessons in the afternoon. We finish with the horses at 5 p.m. If it is a nice day and everything is done I like to try and sneak off for a game of twilight golf. That doesn’t happen too much during the season, though.
What specific ingredient besides horsepower gives you an edge?
Tenacity. You have to be able to deal with ups and downs and that is very hard if you are competitive.
How would your friends and family describe your character?
Probably as quite a perfectionist.
Do you have a health and fitness regimen?
I do a lot of Pilates. It is great cross-training for riding. I don’t really do any other fitness, as I think riding all day is enough. We have up to 15 horses at the yard and I will ride up to 10 a day. We try and run a smaller yard so I am able to give each horse my all.
If life hadn’t taken you where it has, what profession would you have pursued?
I had always planned on being a carpenter. I love to work with wood. I might do a bit more of that one day.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Australia – there is no place like home.
Where would you most like to go that you haven’t been?
I would love to go on a safari in Africa one day.
Where did you last go on vacation?
My wife and I went to the Arctic Circle in Finland in December. That was one of the most incredible places I have visited. We also had a weekend in New York, which was fun.
What’s on your playlist?
Dire Straits are a real favourite. I love anything that heroes the guitar.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Sugar. My wife has to hide the chocolate and biscuits around the place.
Do you have a life lesson to share?
Never give up. Anything is possible if you really want it enough.
You’re hosting a dinner party and can choose four guests, living or dead. Who would you invite?
David Attenborough – I don’t think he needs an explanation; I just want to talk to him for hours. Eric Clapton – I would love to sit and play the guitar with him. Maggie Smith – she just seems like such a lovely person who could tell some great stories. And the Australian comedian Tim Minchin – he has some great views on hot topics. He is also a very clever musician.
Money or medals?
That is a tough one. Ordinarily I would have said medals and success. But starting a family changes that a bit. I couldn’t really say one or the other.
If a genie were to give you three wishes, what would they be?
The safe arrival of our baby later this month. A top-class show jumping horse and an invitation to compete on the Global Champions Tour. And enough money to move back to Australia one day and build our dream house.
FAST FACTS
DOB: Nov. 22, 1981
Hometown: Dalby, Queensland, AUS
Current World Ranking: 3rd
Based: Godalming, Surrey, UK
Senior team debut: 2010 WEG Kentucky with Holstein Park Leilani
Major Achievements:
- 2016 – Team bronze and individual 5th at Rio Olympics with Santano II
- 1st Burghley CCIO4* with Nobilis 18
- 1st British Open Championship with TS Jamaimo
- 1st CIC3* Belton with Nobilis 18
- 1st CCI3* Saumur with Santano II
- 1st 6-year-old World Championships with Fire Fly
- 2013 – 1st Adelaide CCI4* with Jamaimo
- 2008 – 1st Adelaide CCI4* with Newsprint
Top string:
- TS Jamaimo 1999 Australian TB gelding
- Graf Liberty 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding
- Nobilis 18 Santano II
Hobbies: Golf, water and snow skiing, playing the guitar.
Did you know? Christopher has been named NSW Eventing Rider of the Year four times and was Australian Eventer of the Year in 2005.
