Christopher Burton talks after his dressage test

Christopher Burton talks to Chris Hector Christopher Burton – Cooley Lands
© DigiShots

What is the cross country course like?
“It is really beautiful. I’m a big fan of Captain Mark Phillips, he’s a really good designer with a lot of feel. It’s tough, it’s a championships, so they are going to ride tough anyway because the teams have got so much pressure on them, but there is a way through it and it is just such a stunning course, beautiful fences.”

I heard there were some places where the going was just dirt, now mud…
“No the grass is good and the turf is finished, it’s incredible how they did it. The going feels good, if it digs up – which sometimes happens at these new venues – I’ll be surprised.”

But if we get heaps and heaps of rain…
“Who knows what will happen, that’s a different story, but at the moment it has drained well, it is well built, so it will be better than many venues at handling it.”

What will be the influential fences on the course?
“There are some tough corners, I think it’s 14, they are a test, there’s a big drop, there’s a scattering of tough fences all the way through it. What is unique is the hill, it is one minute of uphill gallop.”

Here’s a link to the course: http://eventingnation.com/a-test-of-concentration-fitness-weg-2018-cross-country-course-preview/

Your horse will handle that?
“My guy is really blood, he is really fast and he wants to go, so… hopefully.”

Good feeling in the team?
“Great, really a fun team, I love this team, it’s a privilege to be part of it.”

Your own dressage today?
“Things can always go better, he got a bit tense in the canter half passes and lead with his quarters once or twice, and then I missed the change at the end, he’s inexperienced, still a baby really. I was happy with him, I should be happy with him.”

The Germans are moaning that you stole the horse, Michi Jung wanted the horse – he got the German coach to ring the owner to get the horse for Michael, and he said, Chris Burton is the best rider in the world, I want him to ride it…
“Good. I’m glad to take one back off them, good to get one back off the Germans!”