‘Burto’ jumps to victory
Source: Press Release Andalucía Sunshine Tour. Photo credit: Moises Bassalotte.
Australian International eventer, Chris Burton or ‘Burto’, who is renowned as the fastest cross country rider in the world, and a two time Olympian, has already been showing off his talents by winning both 7YO classes, almost as soon as he arrived at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour. Today he had his best win so far in the 1.45m Small GP, which was a jump off class, designed by the Venezuelan, Leopoldo Palacios and sponsored by the Hospital de referencia La Equina, a medical center specialising in equine treatment, located in Manilva, Malaga.
Chris Burton, was riding the fabulous 10yr old bay mare, KWPN Chedington Hazy Toulana who is by Toulon from Heartbreaker. He only took on the ride recently from Edwina Tops-Alexander but clearly these two have already formed a great partnership as they flew around the jump off in great style and won the class in a time of 45.88 segundos.
In second place was top French rider, also an Olympian, Penelope Leprevost who looked to be the winner of the class until ‘Burto’ took to the ring. Penelope was riding the very fast Djagger Semilly (Diamant de Semilly) but in the end her time of 46.27s was not quite enough for the win. However she stayed in second place ahead of the Norwegian rider, Cecilie Hatteland who was riding Alex a gelding by Oakland and who also rode an excellent round, but her time was a little slower and she stopped the clock in 47.21s.