Australia’s Chris Burton in frame for individual eventing gold medal

A PERFECT cross-country round from Chris Burton has him in the frame for the individual eventing gold medal.

Scott Gullan

less than 2 min read

August 9, 2016 - 4:02AM

Australia’s Chris Burton is a chance for the individual eventing gold medal.

A PERFECT cross-country round from Chris Burton has him in the frame for the individual eventing gold medal.

Despite taking a conservative route on the tough course, Burton was the beneficiary of a penalty to Great Britain’s William Fox Pitt who was the leader after the dressage competition.

Fox Pitt had a refusal which added 20 penalties to his score, opening the door for the Australian.

Burton said he chose a conservative approach because of the inexperience of his horse Santano II.

Australia’s Chris Burton is a chance for the individual eventing gold medal.

“It’s a very green, inexperienced horse so I took a full long routes,” he said.

“For a horse with very little blood in his breeding, he is a rocket. So I’m delighted at this stage.”

The Australian team is also in the medal hunt with promising performances by Sam Griffiths, Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose.

'He was so fast, grew confidence on the course. He's a rocket. I'm delighted' - Chris Burton #TwoHearts pic.twitter.com/DEVG4ZpRYh
â€” The FEI (@FEI_Global) August 8, 2016

Griffiths and his horse, Paulank Brock Agh, also completed a clear run but was hit by a time penalty of 6.8.

“I did take a long way so that probably cost me my time fault,” he said.

“It was tough, I’m lucky I’m on such an experienced horse, she was a star she hardly put a foot wrong, so I’m just over the moon.

“It’s a tough course to go all the straight ways you need to be a gold medal rider.

“I have real confidence in my horse, a couple of strides I got in close to a few fences but she’s so quick with her front legs that she’s great at that.”

Tinney was the third Australian up, finishing with a fantastic score of 2.8 due to a time penalty.