Christopher Burton and Rebekah Thompson will be writing a ‘joint’ blog as those who know Chris will know that his love of horses far outweighs his love of computers. Rebekah, on the other hand, manages to combine horses, working for the government, a long distance relationship with Chris Burton and is often seen on facebook – so we know who will be writing the majority of this blog!
Christopher Burton was born in Toowoomba, Queensland but once his interest in eventing really kicked in he moved to New South Wales where he soon became a popular and successful new face. His three star wins began in 2005 when he won Scone and since then he has gone on to achive an envaiable list of triumphs.
In 2008 he won the CCI4* at Adelaide, riding Newsprint and in the same year he took over the ride on Jean and Jade Findlay’s talented mare Holstein Park Leilani. A succession of top places followed including wins at Sydney, Goulburn and Albury CIC3*.
In 2010 Chris and Leilani were part of the Australian team at the World Equestrian Game at Kentucky where they finished mid field. In 2011 Chris made the decision to take himself and a small team of horses to England in the run up to the London Olympics.
Chris is based with Sam and Lucy Griffiths in Dorset and this year plans to run Leilani at Badminton and take the rest of the year as it comes.
Rebekah’s love of horses started with her grandmother and a black Shetland pony called Quaterpint. “I started at Breadalbane Pony Club at age 7 and was hooked from day one. I think my parents went along with it because they thought horses were a passing phase. They are still waiting for it to pass!
My first taste of eventing was as a jump judge at Lynton Horse Trials. I remember being huddled in some bushes down at the oxer massif with mum, absolutely frozen and drenched, loving every minute, and thinking "yep, this is for me!" I did my first event at Lynton on a horse called Grahame and never looked back.
Grahame was jumping machine but cared little for dressage. We had a lot of success jumping at local agricultural shows but my heart was always in eventing. After Grahame I bought a lovely ASH/TB gelding, Toby, who was a failed campdrafter. I took him up to 1* before moving on to a horse off the track. Legs, ‘Vertical Limit', is the horse I have enjoyed the most success on so far. My most memorable success was placing 6th in the 1* at the State Championships held at Lynton in 2009. This was special because it was my early involvement with the Lynton event that got me into the sport.
I am currently riding Maggie 'ladyship', a Hanovarian/TB mare who was locally bred and had done a little dressage. We started in August last year and we have so far placed in nearly every event, the highlight being winning the Prelim at Lynton. We are currently competing Pre Novice and I have hopes to take her past 1*.
Outside of riding I have completed Law and Science degrees at ANU and am currently working for the government and starting my post-graduate law studies. My plans for this year look like involving a lot more eventing and a lot less legal work than originally planned (devestating!).
At the end of last year Chris Burton and I found ourselves in a very long distance relationship. I went for a quick visit over new years to Dorset, UK and loved it. Burto is very well set up at Symphony Farm with the lovely Sam and Lucy Griffiths. I can't wait to go back later this year when the season is in full swing and see how it's all done ‘British style’. Of course it is a very exciting year with the Olympics just around the corner and Australia now officially qualified. I will keep you updated.
