The Burton family spending their first day on the new property in Goulburn, NSW. Image supplied.
In December, the Burtons packed up their lives in the UK and headed home to Australia. After a whirlwind couple of months, Chris and Bek are now based in Goulburn and are busy developing a blank canvas of land – as well as an exciting new business.
The Burton family taking some time out to visit Goulburn landmark ‘The Big Merino’, a 15.2-metre tall concrete statue of a merino ram.
“We have a block of l
and that currently has
absolutely nothing on it…”
“We bought a lovely plot of land in Goulburn, NSW that overlooks Lynton – this used to host the NSW Eventing State Championships where Burto has won before and competed several times!” explains Bek of the family’s new home in Australia.
“We have a block of land that currently has absolutely nothing on it… since we’ve been back, we have been busy taking down cattle fencing, picking up rocks, and doing general tidying whilst we wait for our planning and final architect plans to come back for the house and yard! Some big machinery should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. It should be a really cool property – we can’t wait to get our teeth sunk into the project.”
The Burtons are currently staying in a cottage on Bek’s parent’s side of the property, which has been very convenient.
“We’re so lucky to have this, as all of our possessions are currently on a shipping container in the middle of the ocean, due to arrive in February! Our beautiful old dog, Harvey, will also be arriving in February and doing his month of quarantine, so we cannot wait to bring him home and be back together.”
FUTURE GODS
The Burtons have certainly not returned to Australia empty-handed. Along with Chris’ individual silver medal from the Paris Olympics, they are importing several European stallions to support breeding efforts here as part of their new business – ‘Deo Futura’.
Deo Futura stallion Deo Concur, aka ‘Rog’.
“We’ve actually been working on this vision for a couple of years now!” explains Bek. “We bought the stallions as three-year-olds out of Germany with the help of some very knowledgeable people. We have selected what we think is a really lovely mix of breeding and temperament – we only want to deal with horses who are also lovely people!
“They will also be landing here with us in February, as well as a couple more in the pipeline who will arrive later in the year, but it’s been a long time coming. The stallions will have a variety of impressive bloodlines that will mix well with both performance mares and Thoroughbreds, giving a good mix of genes for both jumping and eventing. We believe this will be a really valuable addition to Australia’s already impressive breeding output.”
“The stallions will have a variety
of impressive bloodlines…”
Young helpers on the farm in Goulburn. Image supplied.
So what’s in a name? Deo Futura is of great significance to Chris, as Deo Juvante was the horse that took him from Pony Club to five-star level eventing and was an incredibly special horse.
“When Chris is asked who the horse is he’d like to have another go at now he’s progressed so much in his career, it’s always Deo,” explains Bek. “He’d be happy just to get to ride and experience him again. He lived out such a long and happy retirement at Chris’ home farm [in Toowoomba, Queensland], and only passed away in the last couple of years into his 30s.
“We always said when we came home to Australia, whatever our new business would be, would have to be Deo-something to pay homage to that special horse. In Latin, ‘futura’ means ‘future’, and ‘Deo’ means ‘god’ – so Future God sounded like a fitting name for a breeding program!”
“Future God sounded
like a fitting name for
a breeding program!”
Deo Futura stallions Deo Chameleon, aka ‘Dot’, and Deo Chacton, aka ‘Vin’. Images supplied.
MEET THE STALLIONS
Here’s a glimpse at the stars of the stable so far:
Deo Chameleon
Deo Chameleon is an elastic, strikingly marked grey who knew how to convince the licensing commission at his licensing in 2023 in Munich, being awarded a Premium. His father is the son of Cornet Obolensky and Ratina Z and thus the offspring of two Olympic horses. His dam line, the Holsteiner dam line 6879, is described by the Holsteiner Verband itself as “one of the strongest in Holsteiner breeding”. A beautiful, athletic model.
Deo Concur
Deo Concur is a smart, sportily put together grey from the best Belgian dam line. He has outstanding quality over the fence, unlimited scope, overview, excellent technique, and quality of movement as well as best character values. He has a willingness to perform, excellent rideability, naturally uphill canter, best balance and correct conformation – sure to excel on any stage.
Deo Chacton
This son of Chacfly PS – a stallion celebrated for his record-breaking scores and auction-topping progeny – was selected for his immense athleticism and commercial appeal. Combining Chacfly’s brilliance with the dam line’s strength through Stalypso, Chacton represents the ideal fusion of performance and pedigree.
COMPETITION PLANS
Chris plans to compete in both eventing and show jumping now he’s back in Australia – but for now, the priority is getting settled in their new home.
“For the time being we’re focussed on setting ourselves up and getting the kids settled into their new home. After the craziness of the last year, we wanted to take a moment to breathe and enjoy these next steps without too much additional pressure,” says Bek.
“With the stallions still being quite young, we’re in no rush to get them out competing – we’re keen to work away with them at home and instil the correct basics that will serve them well in the future.”
Chris Burton and Shadow Man on their way to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Image by Digishots.
“ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WE’VE HAD TO DO…”
Returning to Australia was always on the cards for the Burtons, however there are of course many aspects of living in the UK that they will miss – Chris’s Olympic partner, Shadow Man, is undoubtedly one of them.
Following the Games, the horse returned to Ben Hobday who has since competed with him successfully to five-star level.
“[Saying goodbye to Shadow Man] was certainly one of the hardest things we’ve had to do – he is such an incredible animal. Everyone could see what a special partnership they had, and how naturally they worked together. However, we aren’t closing the door on this chapter yet – there may still be hopes for their future together!”
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