Chris Burton, Megan Jones and Clarke Johnstone share the podium at the 2010 HSBC Sydney Eventing World Cup photo thanks to www.furdography.com.au
There are bonds that have developed in times of war and of sacrifice that cannot be broken and as we approach Anzac Day (a National holiday in both Australia and New Zealand, similar to Independence Day) we can reflect on those bonds. Both Australia and New Zealand have always had a healthy rivalry on and off the sporting field. But in reality the partnership or bond between our two peoples is that of “brotherhood” or “mateship” and of respect.
Clarke Johnstone and Orient Express, checking the time. Photo thanks to www.furdography.com.au
Many a Kiwi has been adopted as an Australian and in the eyes of the masses is regarded an Aussie, take Russell Crowe (star of Gladiator) for instance. He was born in New Zealand, but almost all consider him a Aussie. Phar Lap is another great example, he was foaled in New Zealand before being trained and raced in Australia. He was a “great” Australian horse.
So when a Kiwi comes along and does some extraordinary things in Australian sport we often try to claim them as our own. I don’t think we will ever be able to claim Clarke Johnstone as an Aussie, not unless we can marry him off to an Aussie girl. But his presence and emergence at the top of the Eventing scene downunder is something that both countries can be proud of.
Clarke Johnstone is a young Kiwi Eventer who burst onto the international scene after making a steady progression up the leaderboards both in Australia and New Zealand. At 23 Clarke was one of the youngest competitors at WEG and came home with a team bronze from his first games.
Just last week Clarke begun his 2011 campaign with a resounding win beating his Aussie mate Chris (Burto) Burton at the Kihikihi round of the Eventing World Cup. Clarke also took out third place on his young horse Incognito which puts him currently in first place on the World Cup leaderboard with 77 points a full 39 ahead of Chris Burton.
At the Sydney WC round May 6-8, both mates Burto and Clarke will face off again. Burto will be working hard to retain the Title he won in 2019 and with Megan Jones’ Jester out of the picture he will be going in very confidently. Whether he likes it or not he will have Clarke at his heels aiming to take away the title.
Clarke Johnstone and Orient Express photo thanks to www.furdography.com.au
I spoke to Clarke just a few days after his Kihikihi win and he was very happy and said that Orient Express has come through the event very well. Clarke said “I took him out for a hack after giving him two days off and he was already feral” this is a great sign that he will be ready for the short flight to Sydney in early May.
Chris and Clarke have played host to each other during their trips over the Tasman and when Clarke arrives Chris will be picking him up. This mateship is regular displayed in Eventing circles as riders cross the globe in search of their dreams and I can see these two being great rivals for many years to come.
Leilani has a big jump. Photo thanks to www.furdography.com.au
Both will be packing up in May and heading to Europe, in search of their Olympic dream. Burghley is on the agenda as is a third crack the Eventing World Cup series with a road trip to the French round – Le Pin au Haras in August.
Chris and his famous hair. Photo thanks to www.furdography.com.au
I spoke to Chris after he had returned home from NZ and he is planning to take five horse with him to Europe. He is very thankful to the owners of his horses who are backing him on this trip and he will be basing himself with fellow WEG team member Sam Griffiths. Chris will be taking his team of three/four star rides plus a couple of two star horses on their way to the big time.
- Holstein Park Leilani – owned by Jean and Jade Findlay
- Newsprint – owned by Chris and second place in last year’s Adelaide
- Haruzac – owned by Alan Skinner
- FIS Under Discussion – a stunning Warmblood/TB cross owned by Marianne Litchwark & Andrew McPherson
- Kinnordy Rivaldo – also owned by Chris
There is no doubt in my mind that both Chris and Clarke are set for much bigger things in the world of Eventing and will their rivalry, drive and mateship they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Keep your eye on these two young lads from downunder.
Yours in Eventing,
ESJ
