Bek catches up with school friend and fellow eventer LIndsey Stewart, who was one of Chris' pupils at the Canberra clinic
The saying which runs along the lines of ‘behind every successful man there is a great woman’ could well ring true for Chris Burton who, for the past couple of years, has had partner Bek Thompson by his side.
“My life has certainly changed quite a bit,” Bek admitted to me when I caught up with her recently. “A few years ago I was very much an amateur in eventing and now I’m part of a very professional yard – and living half way round the world!”
Bek and Chris make a good team
Prior to moving over to UK to be with Chris, Bek spent her time studying to become a lawyer and enjoying her eventing, which she did up to 1* level riding, amongst others, her own horse Vertical Limit. Although Bek had often seen Chris around the Australian eventing scene it was when the two of them met at a Wallaby Hill Clinic in 2011 that the fairytale began.
Bek with her parents, Jane and Stewart
Bek finished her degree is now a qualified Lawyer and although she did start a job within that industry in England she decided, after a while, that her time would be better spent helping Chris develop his business.
“A lot of time I am in the background and some people might not even know that I’m there, which is fine to a certain extent. But having said that I do love working with Schockemöhle Sports, who sponsor Chris, because they make me feel that my contribution is just as important as Chris’s.”
Bek and Chris at Badminton earlier this year
Photo: Kate Mackenzie
Bek and Chris are now on their way back to UK after spending some time catching up with family and friends in Australia (as well as teaching at some clinics and did we mention the 4* win …) “How could I miss that one,” said Bek. “I hadn’t planned on going because originally Chris was just going to watch and do a Masterclass. Then when he told me he was riding I thought about going but it was all getting a bit late to organise … and then he goes and wins which left me thinking ‘I should be there!’”
To hear what else Bek had to say about her eventing lifestyle click on the icon below.
