Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise, fifth after dressage moved into third place after cross country Photo: Libby Law
Young New Zealand Olympic hopeful Jonathan Paget has ridden Clifton Promise through a brilliant clear cross country round in the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in the United States this morning to move into third place with team-mate Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza in ninth spot.
Just 32 managed to complete a very challenging cross country course, with just eight going clear and inside time – the two Kiwis both included in that illustrious list.
Leader William Fox-Pitt (GBR) has a very strong New Zealand connection – his horse Parklane Hawk is a former Kiwi race horse who was previously ridden by New Zealand Olympian Matthew Grayling (Taranaki) before being sold offshore.
There is nothing between the top three of the leader board, with Fox-Pitt on 41.3, second-placed Allison Springer (USA) and Arthur who led after the dressage on 43 and Paget aboard Promise (owned by Frances Stead) on 44.8, as they head into tomorrow's all-important showjumping phase.
Olympian Andrew Hoy picked up 20 jump penalties and 11.2 time faults to finish the cross country phase in 19th place while fellow Australian Kadi Eykamp was unfortunately eliminated on course
Ex-pat Aussie rider, now riding for the US, Boyd Martin was another one to go clear and under time riding Otis Barbotiere. This moved him up from equal 16th to fourth place putting him within striking distance of the leaders. Phillip Dutton also had two good rides on cross country moving him up to 11th and 12th places
Jonathan Paget was delighted.
“He is an amazing horse – he’s a warrior and fast and he just loves his job. It’s great to be on him. Hats off to (owner) Frances (Stead) because she really knows how to pick them.”
The combination had a little “sticky” moment in the lake where they nudged a log on the way in and ended up adding an extra stride, but Paget said it was just a matter of regaining momentum and they were away again.
“It was hard work out there, but great! Promise has pulled up looking fresh and feeling fine.”
Promise is known for his clear showjumping having taken only three rails in his four star career.
“I figure he’s due to go clear again,” says Paget.
Nicholson and Qwanza’s (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) efforts pulled them up from 25th overnight into ninth spot.
Nicholson and Calico Joe (owned by the Twenty Twelve in Mind Syndicate) retired at the tricky combination ninth fence. Lucy Jackson and Kilcoltrim Ambassador (owned by Jackson and the Sprout Syndicate) were eliminated two thirds of the way through, after picking up an early 20 penalties at the troublesome fence nine. Twenty riders picked up faults, retired or were eliminated at this fence.
Fifteen combinations were eliminated throughout the cross country course today, seven retired and three withdrawn before they even started.
Fox-Pitt, who is chasing the Rolex Grand Slam prize for the rider who wins Burghley, Kentucky and Badminton in succession, had plenty of praise for his New Zealand-bred horse.
“He gave me some ride,” he said. “He is a thoroughbred horse, he has raced in New Zealand, his grandfather is Danehill so I had a huge advantage. He is pure class.”
The showjumping phase of this prestigious four star event goes in the early hours of tomorrow (Monday) morning.
Kentucky is the only four star three day event held in the United States, and is the third leg of the six part HSBC FEI Classics – in which Nicholson is sitting third – with riders vying for part of the $250,000 prize purse and a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.The event is expected to attract up to 100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts.
