A very emotional Chris Burton has just spoken after winning silver in the eventing individual jumping.

"We sort of hoped we might have had the gold there, but it wasn't our day," Burton told the Nine Network.

"Well done, Mickey (Michael Jung). He's one of the he's the greatest of all time. There's no question.

"It was a tough competition and we're delighted to go so well."

This is the second medal of Burton's Olympic career - he earned a bronze in Rio as part of Australia's team eventing squad.

"It hasn't sunk in," Burton said.

"You sort of keep your head down and, try to just stay focused on the job at hand, but I'm sure it'll sink in later on.

"It's amazing. It's a dream come true. I don't know what happens when you get old, you get emotional all of a sudden."

He thanks his family, mentions his son found him a lucky coin but he lost it earlier this week - only to find it on the hotel floor this morning! Now that's what you call an omen!

Burton also praises Shadow Man, the horse that took him to silver. He pointed to the horse as the crowd cheered after his run, it was a beautiful moment.

"What a treat, he's a really special animal. I'm just blessed to get to ride a horse like that," Burton said.