US-based Kiwi showjumper Sharn Wordley has finished third in the Zoetis $US1 million grand prix at the HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties in New York.

Jock Paget completed a memorable double as New Zealand took a clean sweep of the podium at the Burghley horse trials in Lincolnshire today. The 29-year-old Olympian won the three-day classic aboard Clifton Promise to complete a double of Badminton and Burghley - not achieved in the same year, on the same horse, since 1989 with Virginia Leng and Master Craftsman.

An emphasis on improving dressage in New Zealand's equestrian stocks is paying dividends, with Jock Paget and Andrew Nicholson in strong positions at Burghley.

New Zealand's two in-form riders Jock Paget and Andrew Nicholson have put themselves in a strong position to challenge for the prestigious Burghley horse trials crown after the opening dressage phase in Lincolnshire.

New Zealand eventing rider Tom Gadsby died after a fall while competing in Britain yesterday.

Friends and family of a New Zealand equestrian rider killed during an event in England have taken to Facebook to mourn the "very special guy with a huge heart''.

New Zealand eventing rider Tom Gadsby has been killed in a fall during a cross-country event at Somerford Park Horse Trials in Cheshire.

Points will be on leading New Zealand rider Andrew Nicholson's mind going into the four-star Luhmuhlen event starting in Germany tomorrow night.

The number of injuries from horse accidents has risen, costing ACC more than $11 million in claims in one year.

Veteran horseman Mark Todd was formally knighted for services to equestrian sport by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

New Zealand bronze medallists in the teams competition at last year's London Olympics; Andrew Nicholson victorious at three successive four star events, most recently Kentucky last month; and Jock Paget triumphs on his first attempt at Badminton this week

Going to sleep on the night before the final day of Badminton, Jonathan (Jock) Paget knew he needed two things to win.

Not so long ago, Jonathan Paget was laying bricks on Sydney building sites and trying to learn how to stay on bucking broncos for eight seconds at rodeo school.

Not so long ago, Jonathan Paget was laying bricks on Sydney building sites, now he's just the second Kiwi to win the Badminton Horse Trials.

Jonathan Paget has won the Badminton horse trials in a thrilling finish which came down to the final rail. The 29-year-old becomes only the second New Zealander to win the prestigious event after Sir Mark Todd, with fellow Kiwi Andrew Nicholson finishing third. Paget went into the show jumping round in second place needing a clear round on Clifton Promise and hoping that the leader Michael Jung dropped at least one rail.

The margin between Andrew Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt, both vying for equestrian's grand slam at this weekend's Badminton, could hardly be closer.

'That is lovely. Just lovely," says a young woman wearing white jodhpurs and a tweed jacket. Her friend responds a few seconds later: "That is very nice ... beautiful."