Above: Chris Burton on Shadow Man, competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Christopher Burton, fondly known as “Burto”, a name synonymous with equestrian excellence, has returned home to Australia after 15 years competing internationally. His decision to come back was not made lightly. It came with bittersweet emotions, as he reflects on the relationships and achievements that came from his time overseas.

“Obviously, I’m delighted to be back here. It’s home. It’s a great place to live,” Chris shared. “I feel like I robbed my lovely wife of having grandparents around for the last seven years,” he shared candidly, acknowledging the sacrifices made during his international career. Also, “It was bugging us that our children had British accents, so we didn’t want to leave it too long!” he chuckled.

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Yet, leaving the UK also meant saying goodbye to cherished relationships and much-loved horses. “I’m proud that we have moved back to Australia, but there was, of course, a lot of loss,” Chris admitted. In particular, his owners, who became good friends and have supported him incredibly throughout his career, preferred not to own horses in Australia, which added to the challenge of his transition. Despite these difficulties, Chris remains optimistic about his competitive future in Australia, with plans to secure the horse power that he will need to once again compete on the world stage.

Above: Chris Burton on Chedington Hazy Toulana, competing at the London LGCT in 2022. 

Currently based in Goulburn, about two hours south-west of Sydney, Chris has ambitious plans for his property. “We bought a bare block of land off the back corner of my wife’s family’s property,” he explained. Describing his vision for the property. “The plan will be over time to develop that into a training facility and we want to build it big enough to accommodate various activities. including the exciting idea of establishing a small jump club or show in the future”.

As he looks ahead, Chris is considering his competitive path. “The truth is I love my Jumping; I always have done,” he stated. He is already scouting for Jumping prospects and seeking investors to support his endeavours. “If I see a nice Eventing prospect, I’m sure I’ll have a go with that as well!” he added.

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After years of competing internationally, Chris has been impressed by the growth and potential of the Australian Jumping scene. “I think the sport’s grown exponentially,” he noted. His recent experiences, such as attending the Sydney Jumping Association (SJA) event, left a mark. “Brilliant. Really clever idea. Great venue with amazing ground,” he praised, acknowledging the quality of the facilities and the talent on display. He also expressed enthusiasm for upcoming events, including the resurgence of Showcase of Showjumping, “I think that’s a great idea what the Winnings are trying to achieve. We should all get together and support it,” he remarked.

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Chris also recently attended Dressage and Jumping with the Stars at Werribee as a Young Jumping Horse Judge and had high praise for the experience. “I thought it was a great show,” he remarked, expressing his enthusiasm for the talent on display. “I loved it. I was extremely pleased to see some very nice horses and some very good riding,” he added, highlighting the quality of competitors. “It’s really exciting.” Looking ahead, he believes this growth is vital as Australia prepares for the Brisbane Olympics, marking a transformative time for equestrian sport in the country.

Above: L to R Young Horse Judges Chris Burton, Julia Hargreaves and Chris Chugg.

The announcement that the 2032 Olympic Equestrian Events will be held in Toowoomba, Chris’s hometown, add another layer of significance to his return. “It’s just incredibly romantic. The Toowoomba Showgrounds is basically where I learned to ride in the first competitions, and now to think they’re hosting the Olympics is a really romantic thought for me.”

This connection to his roots fuels his passion and commitment to supporting the local equestrian scene. He is excited about the proposed transformation of the Toowoomba Showgrounds and expresses hope that the community will showcase its unique Australian heritage during the Olympics, creating a memorable experience for both participants and spectators. Chris is delighted that the 2032 Olympics present a unique opportunity to establish world-class equestrian facilities that can host elite competitions. He believes that the potential for venues like the proposed Toowoomba facility to evolve into premier equestrian centers will significantly benefit the sport in Australia. “The fact that we’re going to be left with yet another international equestrian center as a result of our Olympics is a fantastic thing. With that comes opportunity. It means that we could host Nations Cups at five-star level and be set up with a quarantine facility to be able to run shows like that here in Australia” Chris added.

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Chris’s aspirations extend beyond personal competition, by fostering a positive outlook and a collaborative spirit, Chris aims to inspire the next generation of equestrian talent and contribute to the continued development of the sport in his homeland saying, I would like to inspire and coach and assist in developing the future of the sport in Australia” he said, emphasising how passionate he is about the sport and the potential for additional growth that he sees locally.

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Chris Burton’s return to Australia marks a new chapter filled with promise and opportunity. With a vision for developing a training facility, a commitment to nurturing young talent, and a passion for the sport, he is poised to make a significant impact on the Australian Jumping landscape. As he embarks on this journey, we eagerly anticipate the excitement he will undoubtedly bring to the arena and to the sport in our country.

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