Equestrian: Olympian Paget delighted with senior and junior Oceania efforts

Jock Paget. Photo / Diana Dobson

New Zealand's senior eventing team broke a decade-long drought today when they won a hard-fought Oceania Championships at the Melbourne International three-day event.

Olympic medallist Jock Paget of Taupo and his former racehorse Angus Blue won the individual CCI3 star crown, finishing on their dressage score of 46.9 penalty points, with Samantha Felton (Matangi) and Ricker Ridge Pico Boo second on 49.2, and Ginny Thompson (Kaukapakapa) and Star Nouveau fourth on 53.1.

All four of New Zealand's senior team completed the event, while just two of the Australian team made it through to the showjumping, and Stuart Tinney and War Hawk was the best of the team placing fifth on 53.6.

The Kiwis had an 18.2 penalty point buffer ahead of the Australians heading into the showjumping.

Felton was also clear and inside time, with Thompson taking a single rail and adding two time penalties, and Kumeu's Andy Daines aboard Spring Panorama adding nine to their tally.

Just five of the 18 combinations in the showjumping were clear and inside time.

For Paget, the victory was a very special one.

''It is special for lots of reasons," said the former Badminton four star champion.

"It was just great to ride with the other guys in the team and for me, a good way to come home."

It is the first time he has even ridden in the Oceania competition.

And he was chuffed with his ride.

"He really got up didn't he," he said of the nine-year-old horse, who moved back with Paget from England last year.

New Zealand team manager Eliza Riedel was ecstatic with the win.

"These results are a tribute to our performance programme and the work its leader Penny Castle has put into establishing it," she said.

"It is a credit to the team and those around them. The culture within the team throughout the whole campaign has been fantastic. Everyone has contributed to the result."

Earlier in the day the New Zealand Young Rider team finished second behind hosts Australia in the Oceania championships, with Abby Long (Levin) and Enzo sixth on 52.1 and Vicky Browne-Cole (Waiuku) aboard Eli eighth on 55.8 in just their fourth 2 star completion.

Young rider team trainer Paget was very pleased with the efforts of his charges.

"It is looking good for the future. The showjumping today looked tough.

''There was a lot of jumping into the crowd and some difficult lines. The distances were tough enough and they couldn't muck around with the time at all," said Paget.

The riders had much more to contend with - from travel to a different environment and more.

"It all comes into play," he said. "All of our riders showed great attitude the whole way through."