30 Aug 2014

Paget third after dressage

10:32 am on 30 August 2014

Jock Paget on Clifton Promise is the best-placed New Zealand eventer at the end of the eventing dressage phase at the World Equestrian Games in France.

Jock Paget

Jock Paget Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jock Paget on Clifton Promise is the best-placed New Zealand eventer at the end of the eventing dressage phase at the World Equestrian Games in France.

Returning to elite competition after his mount at Burghley was cleared of a doping charge, Paget's in third place at the end of the dressage after riding an excellent 38 penalty point test.

He sits just behind German leader Sandra Auffarth on Opgun Louvo on 35.2.

New Zealand has three combinations inside the top 10 - Tim Price and Wesko are sixth on 42, and Lucy Jackson and Willy Do are ninth equal on 43.8 in the 90-strong field.

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo are 14th with Jonelle Price on Classic Moet 26th and Sir Mark Todd and Leonidas II 29th.

The team is sitting in second spot on 125.5 points behind the Germans, who lead on 116.9.

The United States are third on 138.8 with hosts France right on their tails with 139.9 from their best three combinations.

The all-important cross country course is overnight Saturday-Sunday.

The dressage and cross country phases of the eventing are held at Haras du Pin, with the final showjumping round in Caen.