Welcome to 2013! And although 2013 is in between Olympic and WEG years it is still shaping up to be a big one!!
We wrapped up 2012 with six sunny weeks in Australia. It was great to catch up with friends and family and also to get to see Equitana and Adelaide. Burto also taught quite a few clinics in Melbourne, Southern Highlands, Batemans Bay, Canberra, Toowoomba and Brisbane. It was great to see so many keen budding eventers at the clinics. Burto got a lot out of teaching everyone and even managed to do it without seriously injuring anyone.
Me with mum and dad outside the ACT Supreme Court
The most exciting change for me is that I enter the year a qualified Lawyer. After six years of study (the last via correspondence) I am pretty excited to start my career. I should probably add a little disclaimer here that this does not mean I am now the person to call if you find yourself in a legal bind. Unless, of course, you have very deep pockets and don't mind being billed in six minute blocks.
We also have a very special new addition to the team. He is only young but already showing off his athleticism and willingness to learn. He is a real one to watch and will be right there with us for Normandy and Rio. Harvey is a three month old chocolate Cocker spaniel and a total time waster! He is loving his new role as yard dog and guarder of the tack room heater and takes great pleasure in stealing and stashing all the brushes and hoof picks in his bed.
The latest member of our team - Harvey
On the eventing side it is an exciting year because we are firing up Newsprint, 17 years young, and we are going to unleash him on a 4* somewhere. Burto says the old horse has never felt better ... watch this space. Leilani is being aimed at Badminton. After it being cancelled last year Jean and Jade generously let her stay so that she can have a shot at the famous Badminton Horse Trials she was made to conquer. Even though Haruzac will be out for the first part of this year we still have some exciting horses like Underdiscussion and Graf Liberty. Burto also has some very nice Pre Novice and Novice horses coming through the grades. I am excited to get started on my new one too. Dexter is a six year old pre novice horse I got at the end of last year. I haven't had much of a crack at him yet but so far he has been lots of fun.
Barry (Newsprint) is grinning from ear to ear after hearing he gets to do another 4****
This is the first time in Burto's professional career that Tina Stafford doesn't own a horse for him. Kinnordy Rivaldo has left the barn and may be seen representing the American flag with Olympic rider Tiana Coudray. Burto will always be grateful for all the support Tina has given him over the years.
Speaking of support, with the help of long time sponsor Tony Flynn and Brighton Saddlery there is going to be a Chris Burton Prestige saddle available in the next few months. When we have some more information we will let you know but it is very exciting. We have all been riding in it and it is fantastic!
We are looking forward to what the year brings us and hope that everyone out there has a great year eventing!
