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Dutton: Switched allegiance
Phillip Dutton will head into the Olympic three-day eventing competition with mixed emotions as he represents the USA at the Games for the first time after two previous medals with his native Australia.
44-year-old Dutton took team gold in the equestrian three-day event in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics for Australia, but the rider born in the outback will now be donning the colours of the United States.
Based in the US, Dutton moved there in 1991 and became a big name in the country when representing Australia at three Olympics and four World Championships.
In 2006 he finally made the decision to ride for America and now he will be aiming to get the Stars and Stripes raised after the event in Beijing.
"It was big. I did agonise over it. It went on a long time in my head," Dutton said. "My parents were the big concern. I didn't want them thinking their son is a traitor.
"We milked our cows, shoed our own horses, used hammer and nails to fix a car. Where you grow up has a big influence on your life. It was a bit of a tough lifestyle.
"It was big to me that my family didn't think I was going against that heritage."
Real American
"But I am an American. I have done a lot for Australia but my future is here in the United States. I'm hoping to win a medal for America."
Dutton made the move to America in 1991 and while riding for the Aussies in three Olympics and four World Championships, he became a major figure in the US eventing circuit as well as a coach for several top young riders.
"I'm part of the eventing here. That's a big part of it. I don't want to be disrespectful to Australia," Dutton added.
"They were generally good about it. At the end of the day, I felt comfortable with it
"America has been great to me since I came here with 2,000 dollars in my pockets.
"I saw a cute girl, married her and made the American event scene. I didn't set out with any great plan to come to America and enhance my career."
Dutton has starred in America, coming top of the US Equestrian Association rider of the year lists in seven out of eight seasons from 1998 to 2005, and now he feels it is time to try and win Olympic gold for his new country.
"Representing a new country is a dream come true," Dutton said. "I'm a US citizen. Once you change your nationality and ride you can't go back.
Decision
"I thought long and hard about it. There is always some worry.
"Competing against Australia, this will be the first time I'm wearing the red, white and blue at the Olympics and see them wearing the green and yellow.
"I'm sure there will be some ribbing but everybody has been good about it."
Dutton thanked the Australian officials, who made his decision a lot easier with the way they handled the situation.
"They gave it a much smoother transition. I felt grateful," he said.
"They recognised that it was something that was important to me for another part of my career.
"I've helped the sport there. They have taken that into account.
The Americans will not be the favourites in Hong Kong where the equestrian events are being staged, although he says the conditions will level it out.
"We would not be favourites. It's in a bit of a rebuilding phase," he said. "With the heat and conditions, it will be an open field. I don't mind not being a favourite."
