LEADING New Zealand eventer Jock Paget is set to move back to his native country to further his coaching career as part of the ESNZ performance coaching programme.

The London Olympic team bronze medallist has been based in Britain since 2011 and was selected to represent New Zealand at this summer’s Rio Olympics, before his mount, Clifton Lush, picked up a serious injury.

Paget has said that he believes the ESNZ coaching programme is the best way to become a world-class coach and is looking forward to the move back home, where he and his wife Tegan plan to live in North Island, near the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo.

However, Paget will continue to ride at the top level of eventing and is still aiming to represent New Zealand at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, as well as the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. While he will downsize his team considerably, Paget will bring the nine-year-old Angus Blue, who he believes is a world beater, plus the retired Clifton Promise to his new home.

The 32-year-old will continue to have the full backing of his British owner Joe Giannamore, while young New Zealand rider James Avery will become the UK stable rider.

Paget won the coveted Badminton title on his first time of trying in 2013 aboard Clifton Promise and later that year, the pair also claimed the top spot at the Burghley International Horse Trials.

He will take up the high performance coaching role in February 2017, working with fellow Olympian Clarke Johnson, as well as Penny Castle, Tracey Smith and Jeff McVean.