A second blood sample analysis has confirmed the presence of a banned substance in a New Zealand eventing horse during his victory at the 2013 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September.

The 14-year-old gelding Clifton Promise, ridden by eventing champion Jonathan “Jock” Paget, tested positive for the tranquilizer drug reserpine through two separate blood samples, both drawn simultaneously Sept. 8 at the close of the Burghley Horse Trials. Blood samples for drug screening are taken in two separate tubes and labeled A and B. If the A sample comes back positive, the “person responsible” (the rider) can elect to have the B sample tested for confirmation.

When Clifton Promise’s A sample was found positive Oct. 14, Paget requested the B sample testing. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) informed Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) on Tuesday (Nov. 26) of the positive B sample result. 

Both Clifton Promise and Paget have been temporarily suspended from FEI and national competitions since the Oct. 14 positive sample A, according to a statement from ESNZ. The positive sample B does not automatically result in fines or sustained suspensions, but it does mean that Paget will have to stand for trial in an FEI tribunal and could lose his Burghley title as a result of the trial