Biography

This will be the sixth consecutive visit (12 altogether) to Badminton for Australian Paul Tapner (42) who relocated to the UK 19-years ago and is based near Swindon in Wiltshire. In 2010 with Inonothing he won the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton trophy (2010) and for four consecutive years 2013-2016 gained a top 20 place with Kilronan with who he represented Australia at the WEG in Caen (15^th).

Paul was born in Sydney and began riding at the local riding school and competed at his first international event aged 18. He studied agricultural science at university before moving to the UK in 1999 and came to prominence the following year when he won Bramham CCI3* with Highpoint. After winning Badminton in 2010 he was subsequently selected for his first major championship appearance for Australia at the WEG. Unfortunately the pair failed to complete due to injury to Inonothing who it was subsequently revealed had chipped a patella. The pair came back to competition in 2012 and was placed at the Luhmuhlen CCI4*. Inonothing was retired in May 2013.

Paul has been awarded an Australian sports medal for exceptional services to the Pony Club movement.

Paul trains with British dressage team rider Gareth Hughes and Ros Morgan (showjumping).

He is based at Wickstead Equestrian Centre, near Swindon with his British wife Georgina with who he runs The Tapner Eventing team. The couple has two children Joshua (14) and Madison (11) who competes in vaulting. Paul is the vice president of the Event Riders Association, is the technical director for the Event Rider Masters series and is keen on ‘computers and family things’.

Bonza King of Rouges is a 15-year-old grey Irish Sport Horse. Bred by Vincent Maloney, he is by the ISH stallion Chillout, (also the sire of Andrew Nicholson’s advanced ride Swallow Springs). Chillout is a son of the famous Trakehner Abdullah, winner of Individual silver and team gold in showjumping with Conrad Holmfeld at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. King of Rouges is out of Stapka by the thoroughbred Paddy’s Birthday. He was formerly ridden by Matt Ryan to two-star level and Paul took the ride in 2013.