Chris Burton and Newsprint at Le Pin au Haras in 2011 Photo: PSV J.Morel
It was announced last week that Chris Burton will be the guest presenter of the Eventing Masterclass at the Australian International 3 Day Event, something we’re really looking forward to covering during the big week in Adelaide. In the meantime we thought we would look back to 2008 when Chris won the 4* in Adelaide and find out what has happened to his four legged partner from that year.
Chris’ winning 4* horse at Adelaide in 2008 was Newsprint, a horse that had incurred a tendon injury but one that Chris was convinced would recover from his injury. Thanks to Chris’ patient rehabilitation of the horse and faith in his recovery, Newsprint went on to win the only 4* event in the Southern Hemisphere and they also finished second in 2010.
Sadly Newsprint suffered from more problems due to the injury but, when Chris moved to the UK, he took the big brown gelding with him. In 2011 Chris and Newsprint came second in the CIC3*-W at Haras le Pin but the injury recurred again and Newsprint was retired.
Big buddies Newsprint and Haruzac enjoy their paddock time together at Chris' property in Surrey
Where is Newsprint now? When Chris recently moved to his new yard in Surrey, naturally his old mate Newsprint, now 18 years old, went with him. For the last 12 months he has been the companion of another of Chris's horses that is recovering from injury, Haruzac. The talented Haruzac, 2012 winner of the CCI3* at Saumur, had a foot problem which required him to be given time off and during that time he and Newsprint became big buddies.
Alan Skinner, owner and breeder of Haruzac, filled us in on the friendship between the two horses
“Haruzac is being ridden again now but every time they took him out of the paddock to be ridden, his mate Newsprint stressed out so much they had to bring Newsprint in each time as well . At night Newsprint and Haruzac are stabled beside each other in the grand stable block they have at the place”
Alan adds “What does this say to me about Chris? To me it says his success is based on getting a true partnership with his horses (and his patience and attention to detail in the care of his horses). He is a real horseman and his horses pay it back to him in heaps. And he doesn't forget his old mates like Newsprint!”
Haruzac with Newsprint in the stable behind him
While we look forward to Adelaide 2013, let’s take a look back at 2008 when Chris and Newsprint won the 4* in Adelaide in this excellent video summary by Peter Haynes. It was an exciting year with twists and turns – not just on the cross country – including dressage guru Heath Ryan being eliminated during his test when Mystery Whisper jumped out of the arena
Adelaide Equity Partners Australian International 3 Day Event CCI**** 2008 from Peter Haynes on Vimeo.
Photos courtesy Alan Skinner
