24 Apr 2014

Paget's pain another Kiwi's gain

7:11 am on 24 April 2014

New Zealand equestrian Andrew Nicholson has been handed the Burghley horse trial title after compatriot Jock Paget was officially stripped of his crown.

Equestrian's world governing body the FEI have rescinded Paget's title after issuing a partial decision in the 30-year-old's doping case.

Paget's title winning horse Clifton Promise tested positive to the banned substance reserpine at Burghley last September.

Paget accepted that the banned substance had been found in the horse and requested that the FEI Tribunal, prior to a full hearing, rule separately on the automatic disqualification from Burghley.

The Tribunal has ruled that Clifton Promise and Paget are disqualified from their placing at Burghley and that all points and prize money won at the event by the horse must be forfeited.

As a result, the Burghley placings, rider rankings and FEI standings have been amended, with Nicholson claiming the title and second place after originally finishing second and third behind Paget.

The full hearing of Paget's case is scheduled for June the 3rd, after which a final decision will be issued by the FEI.