New Zealand Olympic equestrian rider Jonathan "Jock" Paget has been provisionally suspended from competition after his horse Clifton Promise tested positive for a banned drug.
Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) has been informed of the positive blood sample, which was taken from Clifton Promise following the Burghley International Horse Trials in the UK on September 8.
Paget and Clifton Promise became the first combination to complete the Badminton-Burghley double since 1989 at the Burghley trials last month.
The sample was taken as part of routine tests and came up positive for Reserpine, which can be used as a sedative in horses.
As the person responsible for the horse, Paget has been immediately suspended from any national or international competitions, pending the results of further samples and subsequent hearings.
Clifton Promise is provisionally suspended for two months, also pending further results and hearings.
"Paget was understandably shocked at the finding," ESNZ said in a statement.
"He and all relevant parties state categorically that none of them have taken any actions with the intent of administering any prohibited substance."
ESNZ and Paget are establishing a likely cause of the positive test and will provide submissions to the FEI tribunal.
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