Young Jock Paget on Clifton Promise (above) is the highest placed Kiwi rider at Badminton after the dressage on a score of 39.7, just 3.7 penalties behind the leader Michael Jung (maybe Michael will live to regret having had Jock to train with him for a while recently!)
“Certainly that first half of his dressage test was the best he has ever done. Promise got a little excited going into the second half but did well . . . very well.”
Like Australia’s Paul Tapner, Jock was a little disappointed with his marks from the judges on his first ride.
“I thought Lush was perfect yesterday and didn’t put a step out of place but they (the judges) didn’t give him the marks. I thought he should have been in the low forties, but instead he’s on 48.2.”
Mr Cool in Kentucky - Andrew Nicholson
However, although Jock is gorgeous, it is the wily old foxes Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson who make me smile.
There is plenty of hype and atmosphere around Badminton this year but these two look like they’re lapping it up in these FEI TV interviews. Never underestimate the experience of age and the ability to party under pressure!
