Australia’s Kevin McNab had a nightmare round on the World Eventing Championships cross-country when his rein broke in a combination.

Kevin and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam were in ninth place after the dressage, on 25.7, but were given 20 penalties in the 16abc MIM Clip Complex after Kevin had to try to resolve the situation.

“The horse was fantastic,” Kevin said. “He started really well; I wasn’t pressing, he was just taking me to all the fences – he was on fire. I was going, by my watch, a couple of seconds under the time, then between A and B, my rein broke.

“So I had to pull right, slow him down, then grab the left cheek piece to stop without crossing my tracks, reach down and work out a way to tie the rein to the bit, so that I could carry on and finish my round.”

Kevin managed to secure the rein and carry on to complete, but the time he had to spend meant he finished with 28.8 time-penalties, as well as 20 penalties for a score of 70.5.

“When I got down to my next minute marker, I was a minute over time,” he said. “Then he finished a minute and two seconds over so as far as the horse is concerned, he was clear and under the time.”

Kevin added that the rein broke where it attached to the bit.

“It was really frustrating. It was very unfortunate for the horse. I went to give him a half-halt with the left rein and it broke,” he said.

Alex Hua Tian retires on World Eventing Championships cross-country

Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian had to retire on the World Eventing Championships cross-country; he and Don Geniro were in fourth place after the dressage on 23.7 but they incurred faults for breaking a frangible pin, also in the MIM Clip Complex at fence 16, and retired at fence 23.

“I would say he wasn’t 100% when we got here,” Alex said. “He’s improved every day, he was fantastic in the dressage, I was really pleased.

“Today, even if he was 100%, he was always going to find the terrain hard, he’s that kind of horse. But we just got to five, six minutes and he felt like he was at 10 minutes. He was a very good boy through the first water because he was starting to feel like I was having to help him quite a lot, to motivate him a bit. And then he gave me quite a flat jump over the the open ditch and we’d already made a bit of a mistake.”

Alex added that he would like to watch the video to “make sure it wasn’t my mistake” at the corner where the pin went.

“He hadn’t jumped particularly well there and he was just starting to feel like he was struggling a bit and it felt like an awful long way home,” he said. “Also, that trakehner is quite big and I didn’t really want to be on a flat horse over it!

“He got back and he’s far from knackered; he’s in really good shape. He’s recovered really quickly and has been dragging Lucy around around the wash area. But I think just this week wasn’t going to be our week, no matter how good a dressage test.”

Don Geniro will now go home and Alex will determine what to aim for next.

“I don’t know whether it’s realistic for him doing anything this year,” he said. “Maybe something next year? I don’t know, to be honest, is the answer. I think we need to see how he is and see how he feels, maybe see how he is over the winter and whether he wants to give me a spin again next year, it’s up to him.”

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The Australian Tokyo Olympic medal-winning team is among the squad that will contest the 2022 World Eventing Championships in Italy next month.

Equestrian Australia (EA) has revealed its squad of five, plus three reserves. Its selection panel, in consultation with the chef d’equipe, will select the team of four and one individual from the squad either at, or before, the first horse inspection in Pratoni (15 to 25 September).

Andrew Hoy (Vassily De Lassos), Kevin McNab (Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam) and Shane Rose (Virgil), who secured team silver at last year’s Olympics, are named as part of Australia’s World Championship squad for 2022.

The full squad, plus reserves, from which the Australian team and individual will be selected for the 2022 World Eventing Championships are as follows:

Andrew Hoy with 13-year-old gelding Vassily De Lassos

Owners: Paula and David Evans

Groom: Clémentine Girardeau

Shenae Lowings with 12-year-old gelding Bold VentureOwner: riderGroom: Olivia Barton

Kevin McNab with 14-year-old gelding Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam

Owners: Scuderia 1918 and Kevin’s wife, Emma McNab

Groom: Lucy Hartley

Kevin has also been selected with direct reserve ride, 15-year-old gelding WillungaOwners: Samia Murgian and Emma McNabGroom: Lucy Hartley

Shane Rose with 17-year-old gelding Virgil

Owner: Shane’s wife Niki Rose, and Michelle Hasibar

Groom: Jamie Atkinson

Hazel Shannon with 17-year-old gelding Willingapark CliffordOwner: Terry SnowGroom: Bronte Buttel

Reserves:

Sammi Birch with 12-year-old gelding Finduss PFBOwner: Parkfield BreedingGroom: Helen Tagg

Sam Lyle with 12-year-old gelding BF ValourOwner: Charlotte MavrisGroom: Natalya Bretherton

Jessica Rae with 14-year-old mare Fifth AvenueOwner: riderGroom: Laura Munt

Shane Rose with 10-year-old mare Easy TurnOwners: Angela Shacklady and Niki RoseGroom: Jamie Atkinson

It is 16 years since Australia won its last world eventing medals, when Clayton Fredericks took individual silver with Ben Along Time and the Australian team won bronze at Aachen in 2006.

Andrew Hoy, who is on this year’s squad with his Tokyo individual bronze and team silver medal-winning ride Vassily De Lassos, was part of the Australian team that won bronze in 1986 with Just James, and Master Monarch in 2006, where Australia again collected team bronze.

This will be a first senior championship for Hazel Shannon and Shenae Lowings.

EA high performance director Chris Webb said that the breadth of experience is an “indication of the strength of Australia’s developing talent”.

“It is fantastic to see not only our successful Tokyo 2020 eventing team medallists named, but also combinations who are making their FEI World Championships debut, demonstrating the depth of our eventing talent,” he said.

“Furthermore, Sam Lyle and Jessica Rae, who have been named on the reserves list, recently travelled overseas with the support of the EA high performance program and subsequently had the opportunity to compete on a Nations Cup team at Haras du Pin, providing them with valuable team experience that will benefit their future championship campaigns.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

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Young horse world champion Cute Girl has been sold to the US with the hope of making an up-and-coming rider’s Olympic dream a reality at Paris 2024.

The Holsteiner mare (Coventry x Clearway), who topped the seven-year-old CC3*-L WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for young horses at Le Lion in 2021 with Australia’s Kevin McNab, joins Hallie Coon’s string.

“We were thinking that Cute Girl would be a great horse for us to aim at Paris, but unfortunately, part of what we have to do in this sport is sell on some good horses”, said Kevin, who will work with Hallie to help her get to know her new ride over the coming weeks.

“Now, hopefully we’ll still get to see her go on to Paris. It’s great to see her go to Hallie and we’re looking forward to following them in the future – we wish her all the best and all the success we’ve enjoyed, too.”

Cute Girl was sourced as a young horse by Francesca Pollara, and produced by Kevin for owners Scuderia 1918. She was ridden in competition by both Kevin and Isabel English, and her career highlights also include third at the British Eventing CCI3*-L seven-year-old championships at Osberton in October 2021. The eight-year-old mare has a host of national wins to her name and has finished on her dressage score on four of her eight international starts.

“Getting to ride such a well-produced and established horse is an unbelievable opportunity,” said Hallie, 26.

“To take on a ride of Kevin’s is particularly special, because I’m a huge fan of his style of riding and production; he rides incredibly lightly and brings his horses along to enjoy their work, which was the quality that made me fall in love with Cute Girl from the moment I sat on her.

“She’s very much her own person, and she’s been given the room to express her opinions – and now, she’s a world-class competitor who’s hungry to find her way to the other side of the flags.”

Journalist Tilly Berendt acted as agent for the sale to Hallie, who has represented the US on Nations Cup teams and competed to five-star. Hallie’s aim is to syndicate the mare, with a small number of “traditional” syndicate shares available, and one share split into “micro-syndicate” packages for an affordable option to become involved in the sport.

“She’s got everything you dream of finding in a horse that will go all the way, and for someone who’s dreamed of representing the USA on the world stage my whole life, riding her makes it all feel tangible,” Hallie added.

“I’m incredibly excited about the whole situation and feeling so lucky to have even had the chance. I can’t believe I have the opportunity to do this with such an unbelievable horse who has so much to her name already, and not only is it very exciting, but it’s quite a bit of pressure as well – in a good way!”

The micro-syndicate shares will be available at a low-cost annual rate, with some offered free to give eventing fans from low-income and marginalised backgrounds the opportunity to get involved.

“I think it’s really easy for us all to get caught up in the enormous amount of day-to-day work that comes with producing a string of horses and running a business, and then this disconnect can happen where we don’t see the barriers to entry as easily purely because we have such an enormous degree of separation from them,” said Hallie.

“The idea that we all had to work to get where we are and that that path is open to everyone comes from a good place a lot of the time, but it’s not cognisant of the many very real barriers that people from marginalised communities may face. The syndicate offers owners the chance to join an incredibly exciting journey as it happens, but I wanted to give people who might not have the same resources the chance to join in as well and enjoy being an important part of the story.

“My hope is that this creates a friendly community of people bonded by their love of horses and the sport, allowing for a gateway inward for anyone who wants to take steps up the ladder and take a more active role in the sport.”

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The Olympic eventing cross-country phase of the competition at the Tokyo Games is now complete. At the end of day three, here are six things you need to know about how today’s action unfolded…

Olympic eventing cross-country news and results

At the end of the influential cross-country day in Tokyo, the British team hold gold medal position, with Oliver Townend rising one place on the leader board to individual gold medal position with Ballaghmor Class.

• Hear what Oliver had to say about his round

Tom McEwen, also representing Great Britain, enjoyed a textbook round across country with the classy Toledo De Kerser.

• Read Tom’s thoughts on his round on his “phenomenal” horse

Eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy is in seventh, with the Australian team climbing to silver medal position

• Check out Andrew’s thoughts on his ride across country

Britain’s Laura Collett posted a copybook ride with the incredibly talented London 52 (pictured). The pair have risen from fifth after the dressage phase to individual bronze

• Find out why Laura was so thrilled with his horse’s performance

Horse & Hound’s horse of the day is Australia’s late call-up of Don Quidam, ridden by Kevin McNab.

• Read about Kevin’s thoughts on his horse’s performance

The cross-country phase proved incredibly influential, with the optimum time being hard to achieve for many combinations.

• Hear from some of the world’s top riders about what they thought of the course and the challenges it posed

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Britain holds team gold and Oliver Townend individual silver at conclusion of Olympic eventing dressage

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Olympic debutants Kevin McNab and Don Quidam have been on a rollercoaster journey to the Tokyo Games as the pair went from non-travelling reserve – to sitting in provisional team silver after the cross-country (pictured).

Various changes have taken place to the Australian Olympic squad along the way; original team member Chris Burton and Quality Purdey withdrew owing to horse injury and were replaced by Stuart Tinney and Leporis, while Kevin moved into travelling alternate. Then following the first horse inspection on Thursday (29 July), Leporis was withdrawn based on veterinary advice – meaning Kevin and Don Quidam, whom is owned by Kevin’s wife Emma and Scuederia 1918, received the call-up.

While Surrey-based Kevin began 2020 with four horses qualified for the Olympics it was 13-year-old gelding Don Quidam by Quidam who made the cut. The pair were sixth at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in April this year, and completed Pau in October 2020.

Suffolk-based Kevin was disappointed with a dressage score of 32.10, but the pair made up for it as they jumped clear across country – picking up 2.8 time penalties.

“He gave me a great ride,” said Kevin. “The course was fantastic, it flowed a lot better than I thought it would and the ground held up super.”

Kevin, who joined Andrew Hoy and Vassily De Lassos and Shane Rose and Virgil, said there were no specific team orders ahead of the cross-country. Shane and Andrew both rode clear rounds inside the time.

“I think each rider has just done what’s right for their horse. I did a couple of different routes to the other guys and everyone was happy with that. We all know our own horses best and we’re allowed to choose what we wanted to do,” said Kevin.

“At the second water I went straight in long out, that just suited my horse better and I thought it would put a bit of money in the bank for later on in the course. It did make me a little slow though. Obviously it would have been great to come under time but it was clear first, and time second and I wanted to make sure I was clear. I didn’t have a clear round in the dressage, I needed to get one here!”

Australia finishes the day on 96.20 in provisional silver. Team GBR remains in provisional gold on 78.3.

Britain holds team gold and Oliver Townend individual silver at conclusion of Olympic eventing dressage

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Individual medal contender withdrawn from Tokyo Olympics

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A major change has been made to the Australian Olympic eventing team since the first horse inspection at the Tokyo Games today (29 July).

All the team’s horses were accepted at the trot-up, but the decision was then made that Stuart Tinney’s ride Leporis, owned by Stuart and his wife Karen, would not start the competition. They have been replaced by Kevin McNab riding Don Quidam, who is owned by Scuderia 1918 and Kevin’s wife Emma.

“Based on advice from the team veterinarians and in consultation with the athletes, the decision was made in the best interest of the horse and team,” a spokesman for Equestrian Australia said.

Under the new three-to-a-team Olympic format, Leporis and Stuart Tinney now become the alternate combination.

This was Stuart and Leporis’s original position when the squad for Tokyo was announced in June, as Chris Burton and Clair Poole’s Quality Purdey were selected for the team.

But the potential medallists had to withdraw from what would have been Chris’s third Games as a minor injury was found during a vet check before the horses flew to Tokyo.

The three Australian combinations due to start the competition, which kicks off with the first day of dressage tomorrow (30 July), are now Andrew Hoy on David and Paula Evans’ Vassily De Lassos, Shane Rose on his own, his wife Niki and Michelle Hasibar’s Virgil and Kevin on Don Quidam.

One horse was eliminated at the first horse inspection and one was sent to the holding box but passed when represented. All the British horses – London 52 (Laura Collett), Toledo De Kerser (Tom McEwen), Ballaghmor Class (Oliver Townend) and alternate Allstar B (Ros Canter) – looked well and were accepted.

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Australia’s Chris Burton has withdrawn Quality Purdey from the Australian eventing team for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 15-year-old mare, owned by Claire Poole and Chris’ wife Rebekah, has sustained a minor injury, which was discovered during pre-Olympic veterinary inspections, according to a joint statement from Chris and Equestrian Australia.

“Although with time [she] will make a full recovery, the decision has been made that her welfare shall not be compromised,” said the statement.

“We wish to acknowledge the exceptional horsemanship and overall sportsmanship displayed by Chris Burton throughout this process. Despite the personal disappointment of forfeiting his place on the Australian team, which would have been his third Games, Chris’s concern was Quality Purdey’s well being and the overall best interest of the Australian equestrian team.”

Dorset-based Chris was a potential individual medallist at the Games, being picked out as a favourite in H&H’s Olympic preview (published in the magazine tomorrow, issue dated 15 July) and sitting fifth in data analytics company EquiRatings’ prediction centre for Tokyo, with a 25% chance of a top-three finish.

Stuart Tinney now moves up from the alternate spot into the Australian Olympic eventing team with Leporis, who is co-owned by his rider and Stuart’s wife Karen, who will also groom for him in Tokyo.

Surrey-based Kevin McNab will travel to Tokyo as the alternate with Don Quidam, who loses the commericial prefix of his owners Scuderia 1918 for the Games. The rider’s wife Emma is also listed as an owner, while Lucy Hartley will groom for Kevin.

Article continues below…

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Stuart said: “As always it is a great honour and privilege to represent Australia at the Olympic Games. A dream so many of us aim for, this time in Tokyo it has been even harder for most.

“I feel for Christopher at this time as our lovely Leporis steps up into the team. I also welcome Kevin into the fourth position and wish everyone the best of luck. I am proud to be a part of such a strong team.”

This will be Stuart Tinney’s fourth Olympic Games and the Sydney 2000 gold medallist and Rio 2016 bronze medallist joins Andrew Hoy (Vassily De Lassos) and Shane Rose (Virgil) in the team.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The advanced sections at Aston-le-Walls on 31 March oozed quality as five-star and championship horses came out to play in the sun.

Let’s have a look at the superstars who were competing…

Harry continues his comeback after his serious head injury last autumn as he rides Superstition, with whom he won a four-star long at Strzegom in 2019.

Mr Bass was second at Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star in 2018 and has won three times at four-star short level.

This pair have completed Burghley Horse Trials four times and Badminton Horse Trials once and The Lion is now a grand old campaigner at 19.

This pair have been 11th in the under-25s at Bramham Horse Trials and completed the cross-country at two five-stars.

Xavier Faer, who has been third at five-star twice, is one of the horses Tim has on the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2021 entries list.

Reve Du Rouet has completed 12 five-stars, finishing fourth at Burghley twice and second at Pau Horse Trials.

Billy The Red is a European team gold and silver medallist and also finished ninth individually at the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

This pair were 18th on their Badminton debut in 2019.

This pair won Badminton in 2019 and have been second at Burghley twice.

Banzai Du Loir was the eight- and nine-year-old champion at Burnham Market Horse Trials last autumn.

This combination won Burghley in 2019.

Kevin and Scuderia 1918 were seventh at Pau in 2019 and second in the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market last autumn. They head to Kentucky later this month.

This horse was third in a CCI4*-S at Little Downham last autumn and is on Ireland’s Tokyo long list.

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Mollie and Charly were 10th at Pau on their five-star debut last year.

This pair were the runners-up at Pau last year.

And just for fun…

We love this mare, who definitely breaks the mould for what an advanced horse normally looks like.

Pictures by Peter Nixon

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Find out the secret behind training the leading horse, who scored 10s and which up-and-coming British star has been training with Carl Hester…

Chris Burton leads the way after the first day of dressage at Pau Horse Trials (22 October) – but Britain’s cavalry are just behind, holding seven of the top 10 spots.

The Australian leader appeared to be almost riding an exhibition round on Jill Martin and David Webster’s Graf Liberty, such was the accuracy and suppleness of his test, with each movement placed easily onto its marker. One six in his third flying change was the only time Chris’ marks dropped below seven throughout the test.

“He’s just always been a tricky horse to train and makes you work for it, but we know he can do it. I’m super pleased for the owners, Jill and David, who’ve been very patient with him,” said Chris of the 15-year-old, who finished fourth at Badminton last year.

“He’s not your conventional horse in that it all has to be on his terms. We have to be really nice to him – put lots of concentrated training into him, but also give him lots of pats and feed him Polos.

“I’m delighted with him – he gave me a good feeling to the hand. Often he’s either high behind in the changes or not through behind and he just really followed me today.”

Piggy March – who has never ridden at Pau before, despite all her experience – sits second in 22.2, just 0.2 of a penalty behind Chris, following a super test on Brookfield Inocent, last year’s Blenheim Horse Trials CCI4*-L winner who belongs to John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn.

Brookfield Inocent demonstrated a solidly consistent uphill outline, combined with excellent energy and activity. The pair’s marks were only marred by three fours for a mistake in the second flying change. They scored a 10 for the extended canter from the French judge Xavier Le Sauce at H.

“He’s capable of really lovely work, but obviously it’s his first five-star. He can be spooky,” said Piggy, explaining the horse had not been keen on the green carpet used to dress the all-weather surface during arena familiarisation.

“He’s confident in his work, but just needs more occasions to know that he’s with me – and he was. This test was what I knew he could do, but it’s very pleasing he didn’t go green or spooky or uptight at all.

“He’s 11 and just coming up to the level, changing all the time, getting more established and growing up. We’re just trying to get more cadence in the trot and dotting the is and crossing the ts – but he’s a beautiful horse, so you always have the advantage of that in the first place.”

Ros Canter and Zenshera put in their customary tidy, accurate test to score 24.8 and hold third, as they bid for a fourth top-10 placing at Pau in as many runs at the French showcase.

Laura Collett set the standard from fifth draw today with Mr Bass. Her active, consistent test attracted good marks throughout, including three nines from New Zealand’s Andrew Bennie at C, for a final score of 26.2 and fifth overnight.

Nicola Wilson piloted Bulana, the 2017 European individual bronze medallist, into sixth on 26.8 with a harmonious test. A judging discrepancy in the second flying change was corrected – a four and two sevens turning into three sevens – which elevated Nicola a place higher than she appeared on the provisional results.

Five-star debutante impresses

Young rider Mollie Summerland impressed in the second judging block today and holds fourth at the end of the day with a score of 25.5 on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden.

The 23-year-old showed off Charly’s impressive, elevated paces and managed his slight tension with a skill that belied her inexperience for a mistake-free test which garnered three nines from Xavier Le Sauce.

“I’m so pleased – I know he is capable of doing a good test, but we’re both really inexperienced, so I wasn’t expecting that score at all on my five-star debut,” said Mollie.

“You do have to hold his hand a bit in the arena – he does get a bit nervous – but he was really rideable today and did everything I asked of him.”

Mollie was particularly pleased with her flying changes, saying: “They could be straighter and there is still plenty of work to be done, but I have struggled with getting my timing right, so that was a big achievement for me as a rider to get all four of them.”

Mollie has recently moved to be based at Allington Equine, in Hampshire, where she benefits from regular training with dressage rider Olivia Oakeley and she is excited to train with her and Carl Hester through the winter.

“Olivia got me in with Carl – she was based with him previously – for some lessons. That’s been so helpful and I didn’t show him up, anyway,” she said.

Mistake for the defending champions

Last year’s Pau winners, Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser, made an excellent start to their test in the trotwork, but the marks started to drop off when the horse wasn’t really drawing forward into the bridle in extended walk. A wrong strike off into canter out of the rein-back resulted in fours from all three judges and even a 10 for extended canter from Xavier Le Sauce couldn’t bring Tom back onto the podium. The pair sit seventh overnight on 27.

Yasmin Ingham was another younger British rider in the spotlight today and she pulled off a smooth test on the workmanlike five-star first-timer Rehy DJ to hold 10th on 28.7.

Sarah Bullimore’s test on Reve Du Rouet was a hotly anticipated one for British fans, but it didn’t get off to the best start when Reve Du Rouet moved off while Sarah was saluting in the first halt. However, they clawed back marks from then on – including a 10 from Xavier Le Sauce for the mid-test halt – to claim 11th on 28.9.

Aside from the leader, the British domination is interrupted by Tim Price in eighth (27.2 on the 2018 Burghley winner Ringwood Sky Boy) for New Zealand – another to draw a 10 from Xavier Le Sauce – and Kevin McNab, who sits ninth for Australia on a mark of 27.6 on Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam.

Australian rider Isabel English withdrew Feldale Mouse before her dressage spot today, leaving 32 horses to appear before the ground jury.

Fifteen pairs come forward tomorrow morning to complete the dressage phase. Oliver Townend is the first to enter the arena, on MHS King Joules, at 9am French time (8am British time).

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A total of 62 horses are entered to line up for the only five-star of the year, with the entries for Pau 2020 (21-25 October) revealed today.

Britain has the largest contingent heading to the French flagship event, with 25 horses on the start list. The Team GB attack is headed by the defending champions, Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser.

Among other exciting British starters are Laura Collett’s top two horses Mr Bass and London 52, Oliver Townend’s experienced MHS King Joules, Kitty King’s 2019 European Championships ride Vendredi Biats, Piggy French’s 2019 Blenheim winner Brookfield Inocent, Emilie Chandler’s Blair 2019 CCI4*-L winner Gortfadda Diamond and Nicola Wilson’s 2017 European individual bronze medallist Bulana.

Rosa Onslow, Richard Coney, David Doel, Sarah Bullimore and Alex Bragg all join Laura in having two rides, with Sarah’s Reve Du Rouet and Alex’s Zagreb among the most experienced horses in the field – and both have recorded good results at Pau previously; Reve Du Rouet came second in 2017 and Zagreb has recorded three top-five finishes.

Ros Canter’s ride Zenshera is also a Pau specialist, having been fifth at the past two runnings, and Tom Crisp’s Liberty And Glory was sixth at the event in 2018.

Izzy Taylor’s up-and-coming Artful Trinity, Yasmin Ingham (Rehy DJ), Nicholas Lucey (Kroon Leader), Hector Payne (Dynasty) and Katie Preston (Templar Justice) round out the British contingent.

The home side field 12 horses for 11 riders, including Utrillo Du Halage for the vastly experienced former European champion Jean Lou Bigot and two horses – Vegas Des Boursons and Vitorio Du Montet – for the 2016 Pau winner Maxime Livio.

Australia’s four entries include two rides for Kevin McNab (Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend and Scuderia Don Quidam) and one for Chris Burton (Graf Liberty).

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The top German names are absent from the start list, but four up-and-coming horses who impressed at last year’s European Championships come forward in Viamant Du Matz for 2014 world champion Sandra Auffarth, FRH Butts Avondale for Anna Siemer (who has a second ride in Betel’s Bella), DSP Quintana P for Anna-Katharina Vogel and Carjatan S for Christoph Wahler.

Tim and Jonelle Price have six of the eight New Zealand horses between them and plenty of victory chances, with Jonelle set to start on Faerie Dianimo and Grovine De Reve and Tim holding entries for Bango, Ringwood Sky Boy, Wesko and Xavier Faer.

Two Irish pairs plan to make the trip to France. Aidan Keogh is entered on Pride Of Tredstep and Austin O’Connor makes the list with Colorado Blue.

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Find out how the final day of action concluded in the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market – and why this was a particularly poignant win for the top pair…

Cillnabradden Evo’s eventing career concluded on a high with victory in the CCI4*-S at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market – his eight international win with Oliver Townend and his fifth at CCI4* level.

Sally-Anne Egginton’s black 14-year-old son of Creevagh Ferro added two cross-country time-faults on the final day to his dressage mark of 23.3, and will now enjoy a happy retirement with his owner.

“He’s been punching above his weight for a very long time and he is very special to my yard and to his owner,” said Oliver, who has now extended his extraordinary Burnham Market record to 13 CCI4*-S wins. “He’s probably won more international classes than 10 horses would together and every time he went out, you pretty much knew you were going to have a good weekend.”

Kevin McNab finished second for Australia on Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam, who raced round Alec Lochore’s cross-country track six seconds inside the time and completed on his dressage mark of 26.9.

“He galloped round really well and pulled up with plenty of running left – he was keen to go again,” said Kevin. “That should hopefully set up up for the CCI5* at Pau.”

Another to have a good Pau preparation was Sarah Bullimore’s great campaigner Reve Du Rouet, who breezed round to finish one second over the time in third place. Sarah also took fifth on Conpierre, who added 1.2 time-faults to his dressage of 29.8.

China’s Alex Hua Tian took fourth on his Rio Olympics ride Don Geniro; the pair collected 4.4 cross-country time-faults.

Lizzie Baugh and B Exclusive rose from 17th after dressage to sixth with a clear inside the time. The only other two combinations to make the time across country in this class were Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend, eighth, and Heidi Coy with Carrigsean Tigerseye, fastest of the day – 17 seconds under the time allowed of 6 minutes 46 seconds – in 15th place. Thirty-five of the 37 cross-country starters jumped clear.

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The Australian eventing couple talk to Pippa Roome about working as a team, Tokyo dreams and why taking on sales horses can work in your favour

How many riders came into 2020 with four horses qualified for the Olympics? There can’t be many, but Kevin McNab was one of the few with such a quartet as the eventing season dawned.

“I had four horses qualified, but I don’t think I was in a position to be selected,” admits Kevin candidly. “So the plan was to start early, get some good runs on the board and be in a position where I might be selected.”

Kevin was one of the few eventers actually to achieve some international results before Covid-19 shut down sport. He kicked off the year by heading to Barroca d’Alva in Portugal, where he piloted three horses into the top seven in the CCI4*-S, reflecting the strength in depth of his team. Among them was Fernhill Tabasco (Toby), the 12-year-old on whom Kevin’s wife Emma won Tattersalls CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) in 2018 and rode on the Australian team at the World Equestrian Games. Emma handed over the reins to Kevin until after Tokyo because she had their first child, Annabelle, in August last year.

“I had a little bit of a difficult delivery and it took me a while to start riding again,” she explains. “Toby is in his prime and I didn’t think I’d be in a position to do enough on him to have a chance of doing to Tokyo, so I wanted Kevin to have a chance.”

Kevin will still keep the ride until after the Games, despite the year’s delay. Wasn’t Emma tempted to take him back? She says: “That would have been very, very mean.”

“I wasn’t going to offer,” jokes Kevin. “As it’s still going to be called Tokyo 2020, I figure it’s only fair that I have a crack at it.”

The McNabs are not competitive with each other, which they consider their major strength as a couple.

“We’re both equally happy for each other’s success as our own,” says Kevin. “Whoever has the opportunity, we’re happy for that person.”

There are lots of jokes about the fact Emma is the more stylish rider. “Every time I look across the arena and watch Emma, I try to look a little better,” says Kevin. “Toby likes her more – she looks prettier on him! When I started riding him, we watched a video and Emma commented, ‘You’re supposed to do sitting trot.’ I was…”

There’s no doubt Toby is talented, but he is also a “quirky little thing”.

Emma explains: “He really wants to please you all the time, but he’s always been a very sharp, flighty horse. When you’re going cross-country, sometimes he’ll be spooking at things, but he’s so brave and straight at the fences.”

Around the same time Emma had Annabelle, Australian rider Bella (Isabel) English joined the McNabs’ team, taking over some riding.

Kevin’s niece Rachael was due to come to England this year as Annabelle’s nanny, but the Covid-19 crisis put that on pause. Meanwhile, Emma is really enjoying being a mum – “which I absolutely didn’t expect” – and is riding younger horses only, with childcare help from the girls on the yard, particularly Ellie Howick.

Kevin says: “I don’t think we ever asked Ellie if she wanted to do daycare, but she looked like she was enjoying it so we’ve carried on.

“Emma is a super mum, which works in my favour – I have some nice horses to ride, Bella’s a great jockey and if I run into any trouble, I can get Emma to school them for me,” he laughs. “Annabelle’s a heap of fun as well – because of lockdown, we get to spend more time with her.”

A farming background

Kevin, 42, is from Queensland, and hails from a farming background. “Mum said I asked for a horse when I was two and she was silly enough to get me one,” he explains.

He started eventing when he moved to a sports school for his final years of education and spent time based with Italian eventer Tony Manca. Four years with Heath Ryan followed, at his powerhouse equestrian centre in New South Wales.

“If you look at most of the riders of Kevin’s age in Australia, they have all been through the centre,” says Emma. “He’s an inspiring, motivational guy.”

Kevin adds: “No matter who you were, if you had a lesson with Heath, you’d leave thinking you were going to the next championship.”

Emma’s mother Julia Dougall is English, but her whole family moved to Australia when Julia was in her 20s. Emma, 32, holds both passports, but says she’s “a bigger 50% Australian than English”. Julia evented and Emma’s father Jamie played polocrosse.

Emma and Kevin met through Heath, who suggested if she was serious about eventing, she needed to be based with another rider. By then, Kevin had set up Kelecyn Equestrian Services in Queensland and together, the pair ran a big sales yard of 40 to 50 horses.

“They all lived out, but we worked really hard,” says Emma and Kevin adds: “We once took 28 horses to an event. There was a fun side to it, but it was quite manic.”

The McNabs now share the ownership of the property in Australia with Kevin’s brother Dale and his fiancée, British eventer Charlotte Price, who worked for Kevin and Emma and now runs a business there. When they retire from competing, Kevin and Emma will return down under.

The most phenomenal jumper

In 2012, Emma targeted Badminton with the beautiful grey Kelecyn Ice Age, flying over for what was planned as a short trip.

“He was definitely the best horse I’ve ever ridden or ever will ride. He wasn’t great on the flat, but was the most phenomenal jumper I’ve sat on,” she says.

Kevin adds: “He made even the most difficult questions look easy.” At the time, Kevin was riding the New Zealand thoroughbred Clifton Pinot – “a real trier” – for Frances Stead.

“She wanted him to have a run at the London Olympics and Em was already here, so that was motivation,” he explains. “I planned to come for three months.”

Emma didn’t make it to Badminton and Kevin didn’t make the Olympics, but having sampled eventing in the UK, neither wanted to leave.

Aside from the opportunity constantly to compete against the best of the best, Kevin says: “The calendar here is much more user friendly. In Australia, you have one five-star and you do everything you can to get to it and you might not have the best prep. Here, if you miss one event, you can go to another.”

Building a life in a new country is tough and Kevin had an additional challenge when Clifton Pinot tested positive for a banned substance, the tranquiliser reserpine, at Burghley 2013, alongside Clifton Promise, the ride of his great friend Jock Paget.

Both riders were later found to have “no fault or negligence” – the reserpine was traced to a supplement contaminated at the manufacturing stage – but they were disqualified from Burghley and endured a seven month suspension, with Jock losing the title.

“It was difficult coming back from that, but we moved on,” says Kevin. “Jock and I could support each other – he had a lot more to lose than me – and we both knew we’d not done anything deliberately, which made it easier.”

Valued owners

Kevin and Emma have been based at Mark and Belinda Sartori’s pretty Surrey yard for seven years. “They support us really well,” says Kevin.

Among their valued owners are the Italian equestrian team Scuderia 1918, who have horses in all three Olympic disciplines and for whom the McNabs currently have seven horses, who are chosen and managed by agent Francesca Pollara. Kevin says: “When we came over, we drew a line in the sand and said we wouldn’t have any sale horses. We stuck with that for quite a few years, but financially there’s always a bit of a pinch.

“Francesca had been talking to me about Scuderia 1918 for a couple of years – she was someone we were very interested in working with and she basically talked us into it.

“It’s ended up being a lot better than we expected. Initially it was just going to be sales and help with the spreadsheet each month. But they enjoyed it and we ended up with some nice horses, so we set some target events and said we’d keep the horses until then.”

Last winter, the McNabs also boarded over 120 mares for The Billy Stud on some 179 acres of land which they rent separately behind the yard, and Kevin is keen to campaign a Billy horse in the future.

Among the Scuderia 1918-prefixed horses are Don Quidam – seventh at Pau last year – and A Best Friend, who are cornerstones of Kevin’s four-strong potential Olympic team. Alongside them is Fernhill Tabasco – who belongs to Dom and Poppy Worcester and Emma’s parents Julia and Jamie Dougall – and Samia Murgian’s Willunga, ninth in the Millstreet Event Rider Masters last year.

Asked what the Olympic dream would mean to him, Kevin underplays his answer.

“It would tick a box,” he says, as Emma laughs. She adds: “Kevin is pretty modest when he talks about goals, but it would be a massive deal. Through Kevin’s whole career in Australia, he produced some lovely horses, which ended up on teams with other people.

“It was a business and the horses were always to be sold. Now we’re in a position where we can concentrate on achieving goals and being on teams, which is exciting.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 18 June 2020

After 10 months Jock Paget (pictured above) and his former trainer Kevin McNab have both been cleared of any malpractice after their horses tested positive for banned substance reserpine at last year’s Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September 2013).

The FEI Tribunal found that the long-term tranquiliser came from a contaminated calming supplement called LesstressE, produced by Trinity Consultants.

Twelve bottles of LesstressE were obtained from the stables of Jock Paget, Kevin McNab, Adam Trew and Jonelle Richards for testing and reserpine was detected in 10 of them.

The FEI countered by claiming the bottles had a “simple flip top lid” so could have been tampered with after leaving the manufacturers.

The FEI claimed Jock would have “strong motivation” to do this, given that reserpine is known to have a calming effect for dressage and he had admitted that Clifton Promise was “highly strung”.

Director of Trinity Consultants Roger Hatch admitted mixing LesstressE “to order” on his kitchen table using a “wooden spoon and plastic bowl” and that there was no quality control. Due to the nature of the manufacturing process it was impossible to prove exactly how and when the contamination occurred.

The Tribunal also found that neither rider had shown “negligence” because they couldn’t have “reasonably known or suspected” that LesstressE would be contaminated with reserpine.

Moving on

Although still stripped of his Burghley title, Jock is now free to ride again, as is Kevin, both escaping a potential two-year ban.

Jock can now concentrate on preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He was selected for the New Zealand squad earlier this summer.

“It is the ultimate relief. It has been the only thing on my mind,” Jock told H&H.

“I was fortunate that we were able to find the source of the contamination, trace it and prove — most importantly — that I wasn’t responsible nor could I have known.”

Kevin (pictured left riding Clifton Pinot) is also keen to “finally move on”.

“I’m not a doper, I always knew it had to be contamination,” he said.

Both horses are owned by Frances Stead of Clifton Eventers, who has maintained both riders’ innocence throughout.

“This outcome confirms what we have consistently said since this news broke last year — that both Jock and Kevin are two exceptional individuals who are not only very talented and hard-working, but also operate at all times in an ethical and honest way,” said Frances in a statement.

“It is also great news for the sport of eventing, as it confirms it remains clean of any drug abuse of horses.”

Supplement concern

The case has once again thrown into the spotlight the possible problems with contamination in supplements.

It was revealed that Clifton Promise was on seven supplements and that Clifton Pinot had been given three different calmers — including LesstressE — on the morning of the dressage at Burghley (6 September).

The FEI argued that under the context of the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes had been warned supplements may be contaminated with prohibited substances. As a result, the riders had “assumed the risk” by still using them.

“This case highlights the much discussed concerns about the use of herbal supplements,” said H&H vet consultant Karen Coumbe. “It can be extremely difficult to know for certain what precisely the contents are and how they are manufactured.”

Event Riders Association president Bruce Haskell added: “This is a wake-up call that riders need to be more responsible.”

LesstressE was still available on the Trinity Consultants website for £17 last week with claims to contain no prohibited substance for either the FEI or national equine ruling bodies, but it has since been de-listed.

H&H asked Mr Hatch why LesstressE had still been available and if he could confirm his products were no longer at risk of contamination. Mr Hatch refused to comment on the contamination risk.

Standing up to scrutiny

The high-profile nature of this case has put the FEI Tribunal system under widespread public scrutiny.

The organisation has been criticised during the past 10 months for the amount of time it took to process the case.

In March, Olympic event rider Ian Stark told H&H the FEI disciplinary system “really needs tightening-up”.

“The FEI lets things linger on and on. Eventing needs to work on this, when cases hang on, it can have adverse effects on people’s careers,” he said (news, 6 March).

Jock’s elimination from Burghley after a “partial decision” by the FEI did not happen until 23 April — the day before Kentucky three-day event where Andrew Nicholson was attempting to win the second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam, having finished second to Jock at Burghley.

The length of the case has also resulted in Jock and Kevin missing several major events.

Concerns have now been raised that the FEI’s approach to the case was defensive rather than investigative.

“I would like in future to see the FEI take a strong investigatory role following initial positives and to do so at an early stage to ensure that in cases where there is no fault, such as Kevin’s, these cases can be identified and resolved much more quickly,” said Kevin’s lawyer Rory Mac Neice.

“The process needs to be more streamlined,” added Jock’s lawyer Jeremy Dickerson. “It’s the right result, but it’s taken us a jolly long time to get there.”

“More money and time needs to be spent across the board,” added Bruce Haskell. “We all want a fair sport and that requires a combination of the athlete and the administration.

“If we want eventing to stay as an Olympic sport we need it to be credible. Cycling now has no credibility, weightlifting now has no crediblilty and I would hate to see eventing go the same way. It requires both sides to play within the rules and get better at what they do.”

First published in Horse & Hound magazine on 14 August 2014

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Eventers Jock Paget and Kevin McNab have been cleared of any wrongdoing for doping offences at Burghley last year. The official decision was released by the FEI yesterday (8 August) and stated that a herbal supplier was to blame for a contaminated calmer, which had caused the positive tests.

The full details of the case were released by the FEI in 36- and 33-page documents. H&H has put together a summary of the arguments that were put forward by both sides and the verdict from the Tribunal.

In summary

Last October, it was revealed that the rides of eventers Jock Paget (Clifton Promise) and Kevin McNab (Clifton Pinot) had both tested positive for the prohibited substance reserpine at Burghley Horse Trials. As a result of the positive tests, both riders were automatically banned from national and international competition.

B samples from both horses were then tested and confirmed the positive result in November.

In April 2014, Jock was officially disqualified from his winning title at Burghley following a “partial decision” by the FEI Tribunal. A statement from the FEI confirmed that Jock had accepted that the “banned substance had been found in the horse and requested that the FEI Tribunal rule separately on the automatic disqualification from Burghley”.

On 22 May, at the request of the riders, the FEI agreed that both cases could be heard together.

The final FEI hearing was held in London on the 3-4 June and yesterday (7 August) the Tribunal’s decision was announced, clearing both riders of any wrongdoing.

The case

To avoid punishment, both riders had to prove “no fault and no negligence”. This means they firstly had to prove they were not at “fault” for the drug being in the horses’ systems and secondly that they could not be accused of being “negligent” for its presence.

No fault argument

Riders submission

• Both riders argued that the drug had entered the horses through a calmer called LesstressE which was produced by Trinity Consultants.
• Jock stated he had begun using the product in 2010 on the recommendation of fellow New Zealand eventer Joe Meyer.
• Kevin said that he had started to use the product after bringing three horses to the UK in May 2012 and stabling them with Jock. He said he had “adopted Mr Paget’s suppliers and the feed selected by him” which included LesstressE.
• Both riders admitted the calmer had been given to Clifton Promise and Clifton Pinot on the morning of the dressage at Burghley (6 September).
• 12 bottles of LesstressE were obtained from the stables of Jock Paget, Kevin McNab, Adam Trew and Jonelle Richards to be tested. Resperine was detected in 10 of them.
• Director of Trinity Consultants Roger Hatch admitted mixing the supplement LessStressE on his kitchen table using a “wooden spoon and plastic bowl” and that there was no quality control in place.

FEI argument

• The FEI countered the argument by claiming the bottles had a “simple flip top lid” so could have been tampered with after leaving the manufacturers.
• The FEI claimed Jock would have “strong motivation” to do this, given the drug is known to have a calming effect for dressage and he had admitted that Clifton Promise was “highly strung”.
• The FEI also argued that all of the tested bottles had come from people who all knew each other.
• They claimed that Jock and Kevin had an obligation to prove the exact moment of contamination — which was not possible due to the nature of the manufacturing process at Trinity Consultants — and therefore they should both receive a two-year ban from the sport.

Counter argument

• Jock and Kevin argued it was an “unfair obligation” to have to prove the exact moment of contamination.
• Five witness statements were provided by riders who had given samples of LesstressE, saying that they had not added reserpine to the product post manufacture.
• Two other riders — Arabella Spilman and Patricia Andrews — who had also given postive samples of the supplement said they had never met Jock or Kevin.
• They argued that on the balance of probabilities (i.e. more than 51%) it was most likely that the contamination had occurred at the manufactures.

Tribunal decision

• The Tribunal found that on the balance of probabilities the LesstressE administered to the horse at the event caused the positive finding of reserpine.
• It agreed that it would be an “unreasonable burden” on the person responsible to demonstrate the particular circumstances in which LesstressE had become contaminated.
• The Tribunal noted that because “no good manufacturing policies existed and that no quality control had been in place” at Trinity Consultants there was an “increased likelihood of contamination of any products”.
• The Tribunal said that, due to the various locations and the lack of connections between the different positive samples, the contamination of the produce after it had left Trinitiy Consultants was “unlikely”.
• As a result, the Tribunal found that “on the balance of probabilities” the contamination of LesstressE had occurred at the manufacturers and therefore both riders had proved the first prerequisite of how the prohibited substance had entered the horses’ systems.

No negligence argument

Riders’ submission

• Both riders argued they had taken comprehensive steps to check the supplement was legal.
• Jock said that he started using the product on the recommendation of Joe Meyer, and that Joe’s horse had always had negative drugs test results.
• Jock added he had used the product in Aachen in 2010 and the horse had tested negative — this reassured him that the product was safe to use and did not contain prohibited substances.
• He also argued that the horse had been drug tested “several more” times between 2010 and 2013 — all tests coming back negative.
• Jock claimed he had contacted Roger Hatch of Trinity Consultants who had “unequivocally confirmed” that the product did not contain prohibited substances.
• Jock explained that the New Zealand team vet Oliver Pynn had approved his use of LesstressE.
• Kevin argued that Clifton Pinot tested negative for banned substances having been fed LesstressE at Luhmühlen in 2012.
• He said he had also been aware that Clifton Promise had tested negative on several occasions.
• He argued further that he had checked on the Trinity Consultants website and spoken to the manufacturer directly about prohibited substances.
• Kevin claimed he was aware that the New Zealand veterinary team had reviewed the substance and were happy with its ingredients.

FEI argument

• The FEI argued that under the context of the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes had been warned of the risk that supplements may be contaminated with prohibited substances. As a result, the riders had “assumed the risk” by still feeding supplements.
• The FEI continued that it had also “specifically warned” riders about the danger of supplements and possible contamination.
• The FEI argued that because both riders were using multiple supplements they should be “excluded from denying any responsibility”.

Riders counter argument

• Both riders argued that the tribunal has previously “expressly recognised supplements had to be treated differently in the context of equestrian sport”.
• They further claimed that the proper care of elite horses required the use of supplements.
• They stated that line between “supplement” and “feed” was blurred as some feeds contained additives. As a result the risk of contamination in hard feed could also not be ruled out.
• As a result they claimed that it was “unrealistic” to be able to take all precautions to avoid the horses coming into contact with a contaminated product.

Tribunal Decision

• The FEI Tribunal said there should be a distinction between supplements used for welfare and performance enhancing products.
• The Tribunal argued that LesstessE “had been used with the intention of enhancing the horse’s performance“.
• However, the Tribunal said that just because it is a performance enhancing product “did not mean that the person cannot claim no fault of negligence”.
• The Tribunal agreed the riders had taken reasonable steps in the past to ensure that an illegal substance was not in a product.
• As a result the Tribunal found that the persons responsible had a “right to rely” on the product.
• The Tribunal found that the riders could not have “reasonably known or suspected” that LesstressE would be contaminated with resperine.
• As a result both riders were found to have established that they bear “no fault or negligence” for the rule violation.

For more analysis and reaction on the verdict, don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H magazine, out 14 August.

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Australian event rider Kevin McNab has said he is ready to “move on with his career” after being cleared of doping charges.

“It’s been tough for my whole team to be in limbo for so long,” he said.

“I am very pleased that this is finally over and I can move on without it hanging over me.”

Both Kevin’s horse, Clifton Pinot, and Jock Paget’s mount, Clifton Promise, tested positive for banned drug reserpine at last September’s Burghley Horse Trials.

Jock, who won the event, was subsequently stripped of his Burghley title.

Yesterday (Thursday 7 August) both riders were cleared of blame by the FEI Tribunal. They were found to have “no fault or negligence for the rule violation”.

The Tribunal found the substance had entered the horses’ system through the supplement LesstressE, which had been contaminated at the production stage.

“I knew I had done nothing wrong — I’m not a doper and I’m careful about what I feed my horses. I always knew that it had to be contamination and the written decision by the FEI Tribunal makes it absolutely clear that I was not at fault,” added Kevin.

“I am a strong supporter of anti-doping, but I was an innocent bystander who got caught up in something that wasn’t my fault. It has been a very unpleasant experience.”

For more analysis and reaction on the verdict, don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H magazine, out 14 August.

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Australian eventer Kevin McNab is set to make his competitive comeback with 2 rides at Luhmühlen this weekend (12-15 June)

The eventer was suspended from competition for 8 and half months after his horse Clifton Pinot tested positive for banned substance reserpine at Burghley last September.

He had his provisional suspension lifted after a partial decision following an FEI tribunal last week (6 June).

Clifton Pinot was initially entered to compete at Luhmühlen with fellow Australian Shane Rose, but Kevin has now been substituted as the rider.

The horse, who finished 5th at Luhmühlen last year, has jumped 2 double clears with Kevin’s partner Emma Dougall at open intermediates at Aston-le-Walls (14 May) and Little Downham (30 May) this year.

Kevin will also be riding 10-year-old Fernhill Quality Street for the horse’s 4-star debut.

Kevin, who formerly trained Jock Paget, moved to England in 2012 with the aim of being selected for the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics.

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Jock Paget and Kevin McNab can return to competing following a decision by the FEI tribunal to lift their temporary suspensions.

The riders were both suspended after their horses Clifton Promise and Clifton Pinot, tested positive for the banned substance reserpine at Burghley Horse Trials last September.

In a statement the FEI said:

“The FEI Tribunal has today lifted the provisional suspensions of Jonathan Paget (NZL) and Kevin McNab (AUS) with immediate effect. The 2 athletes had been provisionally suspended following positive tests on their horses, Clifton Promise and Clifton Pinot, for the banned substance Reserpine at Burghley (GBR) in September 2013.

“The decision follows a specific request from the 2 athletes for the lifting of the provisional suspensions. The request was made during a 2-day hearing before the FEI Tribunal in London (GBR) on 3-4 June.

“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.”

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Jock Paget must now look to an FEI hearing in order to clear his name — after the “B” blood sample taken from Clifton Promise after his Burghley win (8 September) also tested positive for the banned sedative, reserpine.

Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) said it had received confirmation of the second positive test from the FEI and made the announcement earlier this evening (26 November).

In a statement, Jock said that while the B sample result was disappointing, it was expected — given that the blood in the B sample was taken at the same time as the A sample.

He said: “I will continue to work closely with my team to provide a full explanation to the FEI.”

Surrey-based Jock is currently teaching and visiting family in New Zealand.

ESNZ chief executive Jim Ellis said they had stood Jock down from teaching official ESNZ clinics — in line with their own clean sport policy and in support of the FEI’s clean sport stance.

Mr Ellis said Jock was fully supportive of their position.

He added: “ESNZ is confident that he will provide a full and persuasive explanation to the FEI.”

Clifton Pinot — ridden by Australia’s Kevin McNab — also tested positive for reserpine after Burghley. The Australian federation has not yet published the results of the Clifton Pinot B test.

Frances Stead — the majority owner of both horses — did not wish to comment.

Both riders are suspended from international competition, pending the outcome of the case. The minimum FEI suspension for a banned substance is two years.

Contrary to some media reports, Jock does not automatically lose his Burghley title. That awaits the outcome of the FEI tribunal, which is expected to take place early next year.

But it looks unlikely that Jock will be able to contest the Rolex grand slam of eventing at Kentucky in the spring (24-27 April). He would need to have been fully exonerated by the FEI tribunal by then in order to compete.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Luhmühlen Horse Trials is to make its CIC3* course easier, following heavy criticism of this year’s event (13-16 June) in the German media, which is notoriously hostile to eventing.

Organiser Julia Otto said she had received “a lot of flak” after cross-country day. There was “some constructive criticism but also some unreasonable blame”, she added.

Mark Phillips’ CIC3* track was beefed up for 2012 to prepare riders for the Olympics — and was left at that level this year.

Ms Otto said the standard of riders this year had been “completely different and the technical questions were too difficult for some”.

Next year’s course would be “a little easier and friendlier”, she added, stressing that Capt Phillips was “one of the best course-designers in the world” and would stay on for another three years.

Mark Phillips told H&H he had met the organisers of Luhmühlen last month.

“It was decided they wanted to keep the CCI as a four-star, but make the CIC3* more for the younger horses, so that people will know what to expect,” he said.

Much of the “flak” described by Ms Otto was reserved for the CCI4* course — a typically testing and influential Phillips track.

The first water complex at fence four produced five horse falls, including Andrew Nicholson’s Qwanza. P’tite Bombe, ridden by Emeric George, had to be put down following a fall at fence 12, which had caused no other problems. Faults were spread evenly around the course.

Kevin McNab, fifth at Luhmühlen with Clifton Pinot (pictured), told H&H that none of the riders had anticipated problems at fence four.

“I thought he [Mark Phillips] did a really good job with the rest of the track and I’m intending to have a horse there next year, hopefully two,” he added.

Originally published in Horse & Hound 19 September 2013

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now