Equestrian: Paget free to ride again - for the time being

Jock Paget can ride pending a final ruling. Photo / Getty Images

Jock Paget will be able to return to competition, albeit temporarily, after the governing body removed the provisional suspension over the New Zealand equestrian rider.

A tribunal representing the world governing body Fdration Equestre Internationale, has removed Paget's provisional suspension imposed after his horse Clifton Promise failed an anti-doping test last year after winning the Burghley horse trials. The result is pending the release of a full ruling, expected in a few weeks.

It's understood Paget argued no fault or negligence in the hope of receiving no further ban. Possible food contamination was believed to be a key platform in his defence.

The ruling means Paget can resume earning a livelihood and prepare to represent New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in August and Burghley in September.

If the ban is reduced from the standard two years, it's understood it will be for a zero or one-year term based on no wilful or malicious intent being found. If it's a year, Paget will miss the two key events but be available for October's four-star event at Pau in France.

"We're pleased with the ruling which enables Jock to get back in the saddle," said his lawyer, Jeremy Dickerson. "It's impossible to say whether that's an indication of the final ruling but [the tribunal] obviously felt there was enough evidence to justify a provisional lifting. However, we can't count our chickens."

Paget has been suspended since notification of the positive A sample on October 14. The tribunal stated it is "satisfied on a balance of probabilities, that the PR [Person Responsible, Paget] has demonstrated that he bore no fault or negligence for the EAD rule violation".

Paget faced a three-person panel at the hearing in London last week.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand chief executive Jim Ellis welcomed the ruling, but cautioned it related solely to the provisional suspension.

"This is an encouraging step but it's important to wait for the tribunal's full ruling," he said. "Time served can be taken into account but they normally stick to a zero, one or two-year term. Clearly the horse owners have kept faith in Jock. They want to see him competing.

"Ultimately, Jock is happier today than he was yesterday, but we're conscious of not overreacting. We don't want to set up for another disappointment."

Paget rides horses owned by Clifton Eventers, including Clifton Promise, the mount involved.

Owner Frances Stead, speaking from France, was delighted with the news.

"The hearing went well," she said. "It's a provisional lifting but we're very pleased to receive it nonetheless. It's certainly a good feeling. I've supported both Jock and Kevin [McNab whose mount Clifton Pinot also tested positive] throughout.

"I know the guys and how they deal with horses, competing, ethics and life. I'm certain they haven't done anything wrong. The main aim is to get them to the World Equestrian Games."

Paget has already been stripped of his Burghley title, which passed to fellow New Zealander Andrew Nicholson.