<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><strong style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: white; ">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.<br></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Paget was delighted.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.”<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">It was hard work out
there, but great! Promise has pulled up looking fresh and feeling fine.”<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Promise is known for his
clear showjumping having taken only three rails in his four star career.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">I figure he’s due to go
clear again,” says Paget.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Nicholson and Qwanza’s
(owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) efforts pulled them up from 25<sup>th</sup>
overnight into ninth spot.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Fifteen combinations
were eliminated throughout the cross country course today, seven retired and
three withdrawn before they even started.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.” <br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The showjumping phase of
this prestigious four star event goes in the early hours of tomorrow (Monday)
morning.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">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.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The event is expected to
attract up to 100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide
telecasts.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><o:p> </o:p></p>
