Paget Takes Next Big Step

It was with mixed emotions that top New Zealand eventer Jonathan Paget headed to his new UK base this week.

The 27-year-old is ecstatic to be basing there as he chases world glory, but it is unlikely he will have with him the horse who carried him to seventh at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Clifton Promise is being sold by owner Frances Stead to enable Paget to continue his dream, despite efforts by Paget to put together a syndicate to keep him through to the London Olympics.

“It was either sell Promise and keep the rest, or sell all the others, just to keep him,” says Paget, who despite carrying a Kiwi passport, only moved to New Zealand from Australia three years ago. “It's a tough decision.”

He will base with Joe Giannamore in Dunsfold, Surrey. He's near Mark Todd who has taken a keen interest in his future and will train with him in the months to come.

Promise, who is likely to reach seven figures in the sale, is already in the UK, and will be joined by Clifton Razz, Clifton Signature and Clifton Cognac.

Those horses will be joined by up to six more fro Paget to campaign at top level, at events like Badminton, Burghley and other top events.

Paget based with businessman Giannamore in his build up to the World Equestrian Games, and says it was an ideal stable for him.

“I need to get out at those big events and improve on my ranking from WEG,” says Paget. “I know I can do it.”

He will continue to work with Frances Stead, founder and owner of Clifton Eventers at Muriwai who owns 12-year-old Promise and the other horses. More horses from the yard are likely to be sent up to Paget.

“There's a lot to be done but I am very excited about this step. I kind of feel as though I am walking in the dark a little as I don't know what is going to happen but I do know the ultimate goal is to be seriously competitive at all the big events.”

Paget particularly rates Razz, a 10-year-old who is about to go to advanced level and he has been working with for three years.

“I have to say I really enjoy riding this one, and think he has a huge future,” says Paget. “I'm planning on taking Razz to the Olympics..”

Signature is a six-year-old novice who has won nine of his last 10 starts, finishing second in the 10^th one.

“He's showing plenty of talent.”

And Cognac is an eight-year-old novice who Paget has only recently started working with.

“From this new base I can focus on the top end horses – quality not quantity. Ideally I will have no more than 10 horses.”

It's an instruction he has taken from the best – Todd, WEG bronze medallist Andrew Nicholson and NZ's eventing high performance coach Erik Duvander.

“They all agree I need to be constantly on good horses – no room for the mediocre any more.”

Stead remains committed to the rider she has stood by for the past three years and is doing everything she can to ensure he makes the London Olympics.

“Frances has been great. She has gone out of her way for me and it all has worked out so well.”

Paget's girlfriend Lizzie Brown is another top eventer and is on New Zealand 2014 World Equestrian Games squad. She will be joining him in April.

He's disappointed not to be defending his three star title – which he has won for the past two consecutive years – at next month's Horse of the Year Show but says he's putting his money on Brown to keep the title in the 'family'.

“I'm going to really miss New Zealand,” he says. “It's a great place and I have had so much fun here and at Clifton Eventers.”

But he's more than ready for that next, all-important step.

Story: Diana Dobson