Jock Paget and Kevin McNab’s provisional suspensions have been lifted, which means they can return to competitive eventing.
‘No fault no negligence’
The riders haven’t competed since October 2013, when their horses Clifton Promise and Clifton Pinot tested positive for a banned substance after competing at Burghley Horse Trials. Both horses are owned by Frances Stead of Clifton Eventing.
Jock won Burghley with Clifton Promise, but was stripped of his title following an FEI tribunal in April.
Jock and Kevin appeared together before the FEI for a second time last week (3-4 June), as the cases are very similar and both riders are pleading “no fault and no negligence”.
Dossier of evidence
According to Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ), Jock submitted a “comprehensive dossier of evidence” which shows no-one on his team knew about the presence of the sedative reserpine.
The tribunal stated that it was “satisfied on a balance of probabilities” that both riders demonstrated they bore no fault or negligence for the violation of the equine anti-doping rule.
“Hopefully the full ruling will follow a similar theme, but obviously you can’t take absolute certainty from that,” ESNZ chief executiveJim Ellistold NZ Newswire.
Make a comeback
The lifting of the provisional suspension takes effect immediately and Jock hopes to make his comeback at Salperton Horse Trials on 21 June.
“It certainly isn’t a simple process to get back into the competition swing, but I’m sure he’ll accomplish it,” said Jim. “He’s always kept his horses in work and training, so that will make life easier.”
The lifting of the provisional suspensions is a preliminary decision. The FEI tribunal’s final decision in both cases will be issued at a later date.