Phillip Dutton
Born: Sept. 13, 1963
Residence: West Grove, Pa.
Horses: Truluck (12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding; Owned by Ann Jones and Shannon Stimson)
The Foreman (13-year-old Throughbred gelding; owned by Ann Jones)
Woodburn (13-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding; owned by Acorn Hill Farm)
Connaught (15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding; Owned by Bruce Duchossios)
In 2008, after an already legendary existence in the sport, Phillip Dutton finally won his first CCI****. With Connaught, he put on a masterful display at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Prior to riding for the U.S. he represented Australia in three Olympic Games and four World Championships before acquiring U.S. citizenship in 2006. A native of Australia, Phillip has been based in Pennsylvania since 1991 and lives there with his wife, Evie, her daughter, Lee Lee and their twin girls, Mary and Olivia.
Phillip won team gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games with True Blue Girdwood and House Doctor, respectively, and was fifth individually in the 2002 World Equestrian Games with House Doctor. He also represented Australia at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, won the CCI*** Foxhall Cup, was second at the Blenheim CCI*** - both in 2003 - and was second at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in 2004, all with Nova Top.
Phillip brought True Blue Girdwood with him from Australia as a relatively inexperienced horse and, now 25, he still lives on the farm. Phillip credits "Jug" with teaching him how to ride and getting him onto the world stage. Phillip has been runner-up at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event five times, was second, fourth and fifth in 2005 and was also second at Burghley CCI**** with The Foreman in 2005. The Foreman was back with a vengeance in 2007 winning the Fair Hill International CCI*** for the second time (he also won in 2004).
With Connaught, he represented Australia at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games as an individual after placing fourth at Rolex Kentucky earlier that year. The pair returned to Kentucky in 2007 where they were second and the highest placed American combination. With Truluck, Phillip was third at the Fair Hill International CCI*** in 2006 and 10th at the horse's first CCI**** at Rolex Kentucky in 2007. They went on to represent the U.S. later in the year and were individual silver medalist and members of the gold medal winning team. He picked up the ride on Woodburn in 2007, and the pair has been very successful over the short duration of their partnership. They won the CIC*** at Wit's Ends in Canada which was a World Cup qualifier and were third in the Fair Hill International CCI*** (the horse's first attempt at the level) in October.
Phillip feels that his top three horses epitomize what is unique about the sport of eventing: The Foreman, Connaught and Truluck are all very different yet excel at their job. Phillip admits that although he has never braided a horse, he can put shoes on one. Having grown up on a farm in Nygan, New South Wales, he was responsible for all aspects of his horses' care. His introduction to horses came through Pony Club and riding on the farm as a child.
Phillip and Evie run a very busy training and teaching business at True Prospect Farm, and Phillip's list of students is a "Who's Who" of the stars of the sport. He considers his biggest accomplishment that he is able to make a living doing what he enjoys. When he's not competing or traveling Phillip spends time with his family and enjoys all sports.