Phillip Dutton

Born: September 13, 1963
Hometown: West Grove, Pennsylvania

Phillip Dutton and Connaught. (Photo by Mike McNally)

Phillip Dutton represented Australia in three Olympics and four World Championships before acquiring U.S. citizenship in 2006. A native of Australia, Dutton 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. Dutton won Team Gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics with True Blue Girdwood and House Doctor, respectively, and was fifth individually in the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games with House Doctor. He also represented Australia at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Dutton brought True Blue Girdwood with him from Australia as a relatively inexperienced horse. Dutton credits “Jug” with teaching him how to ride and getting him onto the world stage. Dutton has been runner-up at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event six times, was second, fourth and fifth in 2005, and was also second at Burghley CCI4* with The Foreman in 2005. The Foreman was back with a vengeance in 2007 winning the Fair Hill International CCI3* 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 the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event earlier that year. The pair returned to Kentucky in 2007 where they were second and the highest placed American combination. They went one better in 2008, and Dutton finally broke his streak – winning his first CCI4* with a fantastic clear show jumping round. Connaught went on the represent the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.

Dutton and Truluck represented the U.S. in 2007 at the Pan American Games and were Individual Silver medalist and members of the Gold medal winning team. He began riding Woodburn in 2007, and the pair has been very successful over the duration of their partnership. They were third in the Fair Hill International CCI3* (the horse’s first attempt at the level) in October and went on to be 10th at Woodburn’s first CCI4* at Kentucky in 2008.

2009 was another extremely successful year for Dutton. Woodburn completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for a second time placing 12th. Additionally, the horse had a pair of third place CIC3* finishes over the summer at Wits End and Richland Park, as well as claiming second place the USEA American Eventing Championships. Connaught finished seventh at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April and Truluck finished the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* in fourth place in September. Dutton wound up the 2009 season with a fourth place finish on Kheops Du Quesnay at the Fair Hill CCI3*.

Phillip Dutton and Woodburn at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)

Dutton completed his 2010 season by representing the U.S. in Lexington, KY, at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian with Woodburn. Two weeks later, he piloted the relatively inexperienced Fernhill Eagle to a second place finish in the CCI3* at Fair Hill International.

2011 was another year filled with success for Dutton and his string of horses. At Red Hills International, he and Mighty Nice won the CIC2*. With Fernhill Eagle, Dutton attained another Rolex Kentucky CCI4* completion. At Bromont, he placed third in both the CCI3* and the CCI2* with William Penn and Mighty Nice respectively. Dutton picked up another win with Ben in the Advanced division at The Event at Rebecca Farm. At Richland Park, he finished third with Ben and fourth with William Penn in the CIC3*. Dutton then travelled to England and completed the Blenheim CCI3* aboard Mighty Nice. He finished up his year at Fair Hill International placing fifth in the CCI3* with William Penn, as well as completing the CCI3* and CCI2* aboard Ben and Young Man respectively. 

Dutton started 2012 with a very successful showing at Red Hills International. He won the CIC3* with Mystery Whisper and finished third with Ben. Dutton also finished second in the CIC2* with Gran Banks and second at the Advanced level with Fernhill Eagle. He continued his success in 2012 by finishing tenth and 12th with Mighty Nice and Fernhill Eagle respectively at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone CCI4*.

Dutton 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.

Dutton and Evie run a very busy training and teaching business at True Prospect Farm, and Dutton’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, Dutton spends time with his family and enjoys all sports.