Equestrian: Paget decision is closer

Jock Paget.

Jock Paget's chances of representing the New Zealand eventing team at the World Equestrian Games at Normandy this month appear more certain.

Paget was barred from all competition in October after his horse, Clifton Promise, tested positive for the banned substance reserpine, a derivative of the Indian snakeroot plant, a well-known herbal remedy. The test was conducted after Paget's victory in the Burghley horse trials, a title which passed to fellow New Zealander Andrew Nicholson.

Paget subsequently took his case to a June tribunal hearing with the world governing body, Federation Equestre Internationale. His provisional suspension was removed with the tribunal stating it was "satisfied on a balance of probabilities that the PR [Person Responsible, Paget] has demonstrated that he bore no fault or negligence for the EAD [equine anti-doping] rule violation".

Food contamination was a key spur to his case. He has since competed in a two-star event at Brightling Park where he finished 10th.

As the circumstances stand, Paget can compete at the World Equestrian Games but a source close to the issue suggested he could make an unconditional return to competition as early as this week, two months after the hearing. Paget, his legal team and Equestrian Sports New Zealand were originally told a final decision was likely to be made within that time frame.

Paget argued a 'no fault or negligence' defence in the hope of receiving no further ban. Paget's lawyer Jeremy Dickerson has been in regular communication with the FEI, seeking confirmation of his client's position with the world games less than four weeks away.

"We are anxiously waiting a decision," Dickerson said. "Jock is looking forward to the Games but he would like more certainty about his future. The normal time for these things to play out is four to six weeks. The tribunal might not be in too much of a hurry because they know he can still compete, but it's still in the back of Jock's mind."

ESNZ chief executive Jim Ellis said a release of the tribunal's findings is imminent but he'd received no indication as to what direction it would take.

"We want it resolved as soon as possible prior to August 14 which is the deadline for definite [World Equestrian Games] entries. Regarding Jock, it's clearly difficult for any high performance athlete to devote themselves to a world championship knowing the rug could be pulled at the last minute.

"It's our strong hope the ruling confirms the original wording of the provisional suspension that there is no fault or negligence. The expectation is it will explain the food stuff contamination to people's satisfaction. We can't be more specific at the moment about which product he used."

If the ban is reduced from the standard two years, it's understood it will cover time already served or a one-year term. If it's a year, Paget will miss the World Equestrian Games and Burghley the following week but be available for October's four-star event at Pau in France.

If Paget is free to ride Clifton Promise at the World Equestrian Games, he will join Nicholson (on Nereo or Avebury), Sir Mark Todd (on Leonidas) and Tim Price (on Wesko) in the team event. Caroline Powell (on Onwards and Upwards) and Lucy Jackson (on Willy Do) will ride only the individual event.