Brisbane Olympics 2032: Paris 2024 silver medallist Christopher Burton backs Toowoomba Equestrian Centre bid to be part of home games

He’s one of Queensland’s greatest equestrian Olympians — now two-time medallist Christopher Burton is back in Australia and ready to fight for his hometown to be part of Brisbane 2032.

Christopher Burton’s incredible performance at Paris this year has inspired countless young riders to pursue their Olympic dreams — now he’s hoping to use that influence to secure legacy infrastructure for his home region.

The two-time Olympic medallist and one of Toowoomba’s greatest sporting products has thrown his support behind the Garden City’s bid to be part of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Burton, who won silver in the individual eventing at Paris, is backing the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland’s submission for a Toowoomba Equestrian Centre at the city’s showgrounds.

Australia's Christopher Burton celebrates his silver medal on the podium during the victory ceremony of the equestrian individual jumping at the Chateau de Versailles on July 29, 2024, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)

The proposal is to be considered in the LNP government’s new 100-day review of Olympic venues, with the city’s leaders all uniting to ensure its delivery.

The Toowoomba Showgrounds is one of the state’s oldest venues and a place where Burton used to compete during his younger years with the Brymaroo Pony Club.

“We would often go to the showgrounds for various things and I always spotted these cross country jumps around the venue — I was like a kid in a candy store, I thought they were the best,” he said.

“The fact that it could hold Olympic events there is incredibly exciting, it’s unbelievable.”

Burton, who moved back to Australia this week after living and training in the UK for more than a decade, has written to federal sports minister Anika Wells to advocate for the TEC and will appear at showgrounds events in 2025 to further the goal.

The 43-year-old four-time Olympian said Toowoomba deserved to be part of Queensland’s first Olympic Games, arguing the TEC would leave a lasting legacy for not just the city but also the state.

“As Australia continues to grow, there are some exciting things on the horizon and Brisbane is one of those things,” Burton said.

PROPOSED: A new plan has been put forward by Equestrian Queensland and the Royal Agricultural Society Queensland to turn the Toowoomba Showgrounds into an equine centre of excellence.

“Toowoomba needs to create a venue that leaves a legacy for our sport.

“Sydney was left with a terrific venue (after 2000), so let’s not miss that opportunity for Brisbane, and hopefully it will be in Toowoomba, and (that idea) makes me very emotional.

“Toowoomba is a horsie area and the Darling Downs is a great place to have a horse — Queenslanders have produced a lot of champions and Olympic riders.”

Burton’s rise to the top of Australian equestrian was only made possible by relocating to Europe back in 2010 — a move financed by wealthy sponsors who believed in his talent.

“The best analogy is golf – to play on the PGA tour, you need to play in Florida and in the US,” he said.

“The same goes for equestrian — if you want to be the best in the world, you need to be training in the UK or Europe.

“I’m very interested in coming home and inspiring a generation of riders as we look to LA (in 2028) and Brisbane.

“An international-quality venue will hopefully increase interest in the sport might be bringing on sponsors to support more Australian riders in their dreams.”

One of those young riders inspired by Burton’s achievements is Toowoomba 16-year-old Ellie Stenzel, who has become a vocal advocate for the TEC.

“It’s amazing to see someone who has gone through similar pathways to me achieving what he has at the Olympics,” she said last week.