Clifton Eventers on 
Clifton Eventers on 
Clifton Eventers on Jonathan 'Jock' Paget
Jonathan was born in Wellsford, New Zealand in November 1983 before moving to Sydney, Australia in 1986.
After completing his education he undertook an apprenticeship as a bricklayer and began riding at age 18 after his father moved to a rural property and bought a horse, which Jock was promptly bucked off.
So Jock went to rodeo school and applied for a working pupil role with Kevin McNab in Tamborine, Queensland. Under Kevin's tutelage Jock progressed from never having jumped a fence, to competing at three-star level Eventing in less than two years.
After working for Kevin for three years, Jock went to Sydney and set up a business producing and competing horses in 2006.
However, an outbreak of equine influenza near Sydney in August 2007 resulted in all horse movements being halted on much of the east coast of Australia.
With no ability to ride in Australia, Jock returned to New Zealand in September 2007 to become the principal rider for Clifton Eventers at their base at Muriwai.
He competed on Clifton Promise in April 2010 in their first CCI****, the Rolex Kentucky 3DE where he finished in 27th place.
In June 2010 Jock and Clifton Promise went to the UK to prepare for the WEG. Held at Kentucky in October, the pair finished seventh. Whilst Clifton Promise returned to the UK for a well-earned rest, Jock returned to New Zealand to compete in the Spring season on several different Clifton horses based at the Clifton Eventers facility at Muriwai.
Jock returned to his Surrey base in the UK in February 2011 and was soon joined by several more talented horses to compete in the Spring season there, including Clifton Razz, Clifton Signature and Clifton Cognac.
Jock took over the ride of Clifton Lush in March 2011.
Highlights of Jock's recent career include:
- Member of the winning New Zealand London 2012 Team qualifier at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trial, run as part of the CCI*** competition. Finished in 17th place on Clifton Razz at his first CCI*** (September 2011).
- Finished fifth on Clifton Lush and 12th on Clifton Promise at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (September 2011).
- Finished third on Clifton Lush at Gatcombe Open Championship (August 2011).
- Member of New Zealand Silver Medal winning team at Aachen CHIO World Equestrian Festival on Clifton Promise (July 2011).
- Won CIC*** at the Bramham International on Clifton Lush (June 2011).
Placed seventh with Clifton Promise out of 81 starters at WEG 2010. Would have been Silver Medal winner had he been a member of the NZ Team.- Leading event rider in New Zealand (2008/09 year).
- Holder of Top Eventing Combination Award of New Zealand with Clifton Promise (2008/09 year).
- Won 'Eventer of the Year' title at NZ Horse of the Year Show in 2009 and 2010.
- On 2012 Olympics Eventing Training Squad with Clifton Promise; one of only four New Zealand based riders included.
- Since moving up top Advanced level in 2008 has achieved consistent excellent results with Clifton Promise:
- FEI 3-star results include:
- 1st three times (twice winning by almost 20 marks)
- 2nd twice
- 3rd twice
- FEI 3-star results include:
- Named on every New Zealand Eventing Development Squad since January 2008.
Major results with other horses:
FEI events:
- Fifth at CIC*** with Clifton Turtle Creek
- Fifth at CIC*** with Clifton Jade
- Second and seventh at CIC** with Clifton Pinot
- Sixth at CIC** with Clifton Damascus
- Fifth at CCI** with Clifton Pinot
- Eight at CCI** with Clifton Razz
- Second at CCI* with Clifton Tasman
Numerous wins and placings on a wide range of Clifton Eventers from Advanced level downwards.
Also:
- Winner of Young Event Horse Championship on Clifton Signature.
- Reserve National Young Event Horse Champion on Clifton Zander.
- Holds the record for the lowest score ever in New Zealand in eventing by winning with 12.5 penalties on Clifton Signature (87.5% dressage and finished on this score).
Other resources
Read an excellent profile about Jock, From zero to hero, printed in the May 2010 issue of Horse & Pony Magazine.
Chris Stafford of the Eventing Radio Show did an excellent interview with Jock in July 2011. The interview starts just under half way through. Note that the interview was recorded before the decision was made not to sell Clifton Promise.
You can track Jock's UK performance by visiting his page on the British Eventing website.
If you want to contact Jock, please use this form.
