International event rider Jock Paget is leaving his Hungerford base in the UK and heading back to New Zealand.
The 2013 Badminton winner has been offered the chance to further his coaching career as part of the ESNZ performance-coaching programme – but he will still be competing on the international eventing stage alongside his new role.
“Coaching is something I really enjoy doing,” said the 32-year-old who has been based in the UK since 2010. “I want to become a world class coach and I believe this is the programme to do this. It is very exciting.”
Jock still very much has his sights set on making the New Zealand team for both the 2018 World Equestrian Games and Tokyo Olympics, but he will operate in quite a different way after his move from the UK.
Joining them on the big move will be Angus Blue, who Paget rates as a future superstar, and the retired Clifton Promise, the horse that took Jock to a team bronze medal in London 2012 and his Badminton win.
“Frances (Stead) is very happy that Promise, will be continuing his retirement back in New Zealand,” says Paget. “Both my wife Tegan and I are looking forward to getting Promise a paddock we can see from the house and giving him the retirement he well deserves.”
Talking about future star Angus Blue, Jock added: “He is a very good horse who did his first CCI3* in September. I have every intention of still targeting the major events throughout the world but just on a smaller scale.”
“To do both my riding and coaching properly, I won’t be able to have the same size team I have done, so I will now only have ones I think are going to be world-beaters.”
Paget is thankful for the support he has received from his owners and sponsors around this change in direction and continues to have the full support of owner Joe Giannamore, who is sending him home with his top horse Angus Blue.
Up-and-coming eventer James Avery will become Giannamore’s UK stable rider.
ESNZ high performance director Sarah Dalziell-Clout is very excited by the move.
“This is a great development for our eventing programme and an invaluable opportunity for our riders in New Zealand,” said Dalziell-Clout. “Jock’s experience as a member of our high performance eventing team is an exciting addition to our performance coaching team.”
Paget will take up the new high performance development coaching role in February. He will work alongside other eventing performance programme coaches Penny Castle, Clarke Johnstone, Tracy Smith and Jeff McVean.