Jock Paget’s 2013 Badminton winner Clifton Promise will be officially retired during this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
Difficult
Though Clifton Promise was originally entered to run at next month’s four-star event Jock and owner Frances Stead from Clifton Eventers have since made the difficult decision to retire the horse from competition.
Jock’s partnership with the gelding began in 2007 when Clifton Eventers offered him the ride. Since then the pair have gone on to huge success internationally.
As well as their Badminton victory highlights of the partnership include winning the New Zealand Eventer of the Year title back to back in 2009 and 2010 finishing in seventh place at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky 2010 winning team bronze at the London Olympics 2012 and finishing runner-up at Pau and Burghley.
Older horse
Clifton Promise is now 18 years old and Jock has gone into the last two years wondering if that season would be the horse’s last. But up until now the horse has always given him a great feel at competitions.
“I always said if I prepare him the same as I always have every year then I will know when it’s time to retire him – and now feels like the right time ” said Jock.
“”He’s done two competitions this season at Aldon and Burnham and he doesn’t feel the way he has in the past. It’s important we retire a day early rather than a day late.””
Ceremony
Clifton Promise’s official retirement will take place on the final day of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
“We are honoured to be able to officially retire him on the Sunday at Badminton. We would like to thank Hugh and his team for this privilege at an event that means so much to us.”
The horse will spend his retirement for now at Jock’s yard near Hungerford. “Promise is the ultimate gentlemen – he has changed my life. He will retire with me and I will take great pleasure in watching him in the paddock and riding him at home. It wouldn’t have been the right end to a successful career if Frances the team and I couldn’t retire him happy and healthy.”
Jock will compete at this year’s Badminton on his other ride Clifton Lush.
Horse & Country is available on Sky 253 and online (UK/Ireland only) via H&C Play.
Horse & Country’s coverage of Badminton is brought to you in association with Blue Chip Feed.
