Most equestrian riders need years to form the bond with their horse that make them Olympic-level contenders.
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The moment Chris Burton sat on Shadow Man for the first time earlier this year, they clicked.
It prompted a late return to eventing that has brought the 2016 bronze medallist back to the Australian team for Paris.
Burton, Shane Rose and Kevin McNab, with Shenae Lowings in reserve, will compete from Saturday in the three-day team event.
"The second I sat on him, I was straight away mates with him," Burton said.
"He's the most beautiful animal, very easy to get to know."
Rose said this speedy rapport between rider and horse is no fluke.
"Chris's ability to get on a horse and bond with them quickly is better than anyone else in the world, without a doubt," he said.
"It gives us no doubts that he's ready to go."
Not everyone, however, is totally rapt about Burton's return to the Olympics after several years of show jumping.
"I went in and asked my wife, how she felt about us going eventing again. She responded 'no, absolutely not, no way'. Here we are," Burton said of Bek.
Likewise, Burton was asked how grateful he is to owner Ben Hobday, who has given him Shadow Man on a six-month loan.
"I'm going to skip that question so I don't say the wrong thing. My wife will be cringeing right now," he said.
While Bek has reservations about this latest career move, Burton will form an experienced combination with Rose and McNab.
Between them, they boast six Olympics and five medals.
Rose and McNab combined with eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy to win silver behind Britain in Tokyo.
"It was a real last-minute decision and I can't believe we pulled it off," Burton said of making his second Olympic team.
The three of them have great camaraderie and Lowings, who is on her first Olympic team, is enjoying the repartee.
"I don't really know Burto at all - getting a few shocks, but not much shocks me, so I've adapted really well," she said.
Rose said if Lowings is needed in competition, she will be much more than just someone coming off the bench.
"Not only is she ready to go, when she does go, she's very strong - the horse is beautiful on the flat, her riding is lovely and it's a thoroughbred," Rose said of Lowings and her horse Bold Venture.
"That really lifts us, that if any of us for whatever reason have to go out, our next one to come is a silver bullet."
The equestrian program will be held in a stunning temporary venue at Versailles, outside Paris.
"I looked up and I went 'this is a pretty good Olympic experience' - hopefully we can perform the way need to and be standing on top of the podium," Rose said of the sweeping view at one end of the stadium.
Australian Associated Press
