NEW ZEALAND event rider Jock Paget has been suspended from national and international competitions with immediate effect after Clifton Promise - the horse that won Badminton and Burghley this year - tested positive for a banned substance after the Burghley win.

Clifton Promise tested positive for the substance Reserpine, a tranquilizer that is on the FEI banned substance list.

The horse has been provisionally suspended from competition for two months pending the testing of the 'B' sample,

A statement from Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) said: "Paget was understandably shocked at the finding. 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 as required."