Chris Burton has capped off a big week after placing fourth in the CCIO4*S Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen with Clever Louis.
The pair were one of only two combinations to finish on their dressage score (the other being second placed Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera for Germany) and ended the event on 32.1. They were 1.8 penalties off the winning German combination of Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 (30.3).
Chris and Clever Louis were faultless in the cross country phase on Saturday and were the second-quickest combination on course. According to EquiRatings, it was the fifth time Chris has finished on his dressage score at Aachen and the seventh time he’s finished clear and inside time on the cross country from ten runs there. The only rider to have had as many clear-and-under-time cross country runs at the event is Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, who has had 19 runs over the years.
Last week Chris was named on the Australian eventing team for Paris with horse Shadow Man. As he told Equestrian Life in our July issue, Clever Louis is unavailable as an Olympic back-up as he did not have an Australian owner named on his FEI passport by the required deadline in January.
Chris Burton and Clever Louis jumping clear at Aachen. Image: Michelle Terlato.
The next highest placed Australian combination was Kevin McNab and Miss Pepperpot in 21st place on 51.9 after adding a jumping rail and cross country time faults to their dressage score.
Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca were just one place behind Chris and Clever Louis following their dressage and a clear jumping round, however the pair had a run-out on cross country at fence 10B and finished in 29th place on 64.5. Andrew and Tosca sill had a great run through the rest of the course and what a great experience for the combination, who have travelled from Australia to Europe and have competed at several events in the past couple of months. The pair are short-listed for the Paris Olympics.
Andrew Hoy and Cadet de Beliard finished in 33rd place on 79.5 after also having a run-out at fence 10B. Andrew’s up-and-coming 12-year-old gelding is by Jaguar Mail out of Vieusinge du Maury (by Jalienny), and very closely related to his Tokyo dual medal-winning horse Vassily de Lasso. Vassily is also by Jaguar Mail out of another Jalienny mare named Illusion Perdue.
The Australian team placed fifth overall in the Nations Cup, posting a total of 148.5. Great Britain had a dominant win on 112.8, ahead of the USA (123.7) and Ireland (138), with Germany fourth on 147.5).
