Clifton Eventers on 
Clifton Eventers on 
Clifton Eventers on Clifton Promise
Serious Gold Medal contender Eventing London Olympics 2012
Top-ranked New Zealand eventer in the world in 2009, finished seventh at WEG 2010.
16.3hh Bay NZTB Gelding, born 2nd November 1998.
.jpg)
Individual seventh World Equestrian Games October 2010.
- 80 competitors
- Dressage 70.7%, placed 16th with 44.0 penalties
- Cross country clear jumping, 2.4 time faults, went into the lead when finished. Placed 11th at the end of the day.
- Show jumping clear jumping and time.
- Final placing seventh out of 80 on score of 46.4 penalties.
Would have been fourth without cross country time faults. All ahead of him are Olympic or World Games Gold Medallists or with almost 20 years each at the top of the sport of eventing. Conversely, for Clifton Promise, this was only their second ever four-star for either horse or rider.
The commentators for the FEI WEG broadcast said "This will be one of the stories of the Games. He's booked himself a ticket onto the [New Zealand] Team [at the Olympics with] a lovely round. Absolutely copybook. He never looked like knocking one down."
2010 preparation prior to WEG
Clifton Promise won the NZ Eventer of the Year title for the second year running by retaining the CIC three-star win at the NZ National Horse of the Year Show in March 2010.
Then left New Zealand to travel to compete quietly at both horse and rider's first four-star at Rolex Kentucky in April 2010, taking the direct routes everywhere for a lovely cross country clear.
Moved to UK base to prepare for WEG June to September.
New Zealand record
The top event horse in New Zealand over 2008/09 prior to departure overseas.
Leading Advanced Eventer points scorer over his last full season in New Zealand 2008/09.
Took part in all eight FEI three-star events over 18 months from March 2008 when upgraded to Advanced level. Never out of the top four placings in these.
- 1st twice (each time winning by almost 20 marks)
- 2nd twice
- 3rd twice
- 4th twice
Won the inaugural NZ Eventer of the year title in 2009. Retained in 2010. Unbeaten in this competition.
Prior to moving up to Advanced level in 2008:
- Won CCI two-star December 2007.
- Second in National two-star One Day Event Championships November 2007.
- Numerous Horse Trial wins at Intermediate and Novice (Preliminary) levels.
Download his complete New Zealand performance record in PDF format.
Other general information
Top ranked New Zealand eventing horse in the world in 2009.
Great show jump record – took part in 29 eventing competitions show jumping with current rider in New Zealand, mostly at Advanced/three-star level. Had a total of 10 rails in these 29 rounds, an average of one rail every three rounds.
Great cross country record – in his 26 starts in New Zealand at Intermediate or above he jumped clear every time except one retirement when he pulled a shoe early on course, still jumped all the tough questions, but pulled up before the last part of rough ground. Generally taken steady at normal horse trials, but extremely fast and rarely beaten for time when asked to push on at FEI events.
Outstanding competition soundness record. Competed at over 20 FEI events, all involving one or two trot-ups:
- Never withdrawn from competing after entry
- Never failed or held at a trot-up
- Never withdrawn after cross country.
16.3hh Bay NZ TB Gelding born 2nd November 1998.
By Engagement out of Darn Style (see his pedigree). His Dam also bred Olivia Bunn's four-star eventer GV Top of the Line who represented Australia at International level.
Clifton Promise was bought by current owner as an untried three year old. He is very sadly offered for sale as a serious gold medal contender for London Olympics 2012 and Normandy WEG 2014. Will be sold only to a serious rider capable of wining at the very top level. The horse's name must be retained. Owner interested in retaining part ownership if that suits the purchaser.
Following his great performance at the Aachen CHIO World Equestrian Festival in Germany in July 2011 it has been decided to withdraw him from the market and for Jock Paget to retain the ride with the intention of winning gold at London in 2012.
