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Paul Tapner talks to Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff about his first win in the MS Amlin Eventers' Challenge
Paul Tapner rode into Hickstead’s International Arena last July like a man on a mission. Ireland’s Joseph Murphy and Electric Cruise had just set the pace in the MS Amlin Eventers’ Challenge, going clear round the long course in a time of 128.64sec, and Paul knew he had to better that time while leaving all the fences up if he was to go into the lead and have any chance of taking the title for the first time.
They made a striking pair as they set off on the course – Paul in his easily-identifiable red colours, and his striking grey gelding Bonza King of Rouges, who had his ears pricked, keen to get on with the job in hand. The course was the usual mixture of cross-country jumps and knockable rustic showjumps and Tapner knew exactly which fences he could gallop at and which he had to collect for.
“The Eventers’ Challenge is very much about having a horse that’s both brave and careful, and the fact Bonza King of Rouges didn’t get any jumping faults indicates he is both of those things,” says the Australian rider. “You can pressure him to go fast and he’s still careful, whereas with some event horses, the minute you pick up a bit of speed they go into cross-country mode and lose carefulness.”
As well as getting the pace just right, Paul had to judge how quick he could turn and how sharp the angles he could take to some of the fences, after rainfall had made the going a little slippery. But a strong rhythm and with the Irish gelding’s long stride eating up the turf of the main arena, they crossed the line in 127.75sec, nearly a second quicker than Joseph Murphy. “Winning was great – Hickstead is such a massive well-known event so to have any sort of win there is special,” says Paul.
The pair didn’t have the ideal preparation for last year’s BHS Royal International Horse Show. Bonza King of Rouges had made his four-star debut at Badminton three months earlier, where they had a dramatic fall at the Lake that fortunately left both unscathed. Things had been looking much more promising for the pair at Aston-Le-Walls the week before Hickstead – they were leading the Advanced only for the horse’s bit to snap near the end of the cross-country course, and Paul was only able to pull up by grabbing hold of the horse’s browband.
But there were no such mishaps at Hickstead, where ‘King’ was making his second appearance in the class after his debut in 2016, when they finished eighth with two fences down. “We weren’t particularly competitive here the year before, as we had a few rails down due to inexperience. But he went in there last year a totally different horse, he had definitely benefited from his run and he was so much more confident,” Paul explains.
Things have gone much more smoothly for the pair since then, too – their second four-star at Burghley saw them finish in 19th place, following a fourth place finish in the CIC3* at Hartpury International. This season, they’ve had two top 10 finishes at Gatcombe and Oasby, and Badminton went much better for the pair with a very good dressage, a steady cross-country on tacky ground amid soaring temperatures, and one of few clear showjumping rounds with just a few time penalties to add to finish 23rd.
Paul is aiming to return to the All England Jumping Course this week to defend his title. “I’d like to think this year he could be even better and knock a considerable amount off our time from last year,” he says. “I’d like to think I could win again, but it depends on what happens on the day. We’ll be giving it our best shot though.”
Paul’s career is somewhat different these days compared to when he was eventing full-time. In September 2016, he caused shockwaves round the eventing world when he announced he was quitting as a professional event rider to take up a job with the burgeoning Event Rider Masters (ERM) series. While he’d continue to compete at three- and four-star level, he was no longer going to be running a huge string of horses and producing them up through the lower levels. An ‘amateur elite rider’, is how Tapner himself puts it.
As a rider he had finished third in the inaugural running of the ERM series, and now he was returning for their second season as their full-time Television, Digital and Technical Manager. At 43, he was young to be announcing his retirement from professional sport, especially in a discipline where riders can carry on competing into their 50s or even 60s. But having been longlisted for the Rio Olympics and missed out on a team place, and having been pondering his ‘exit plan’ for a few years, he felt the time was right for a change of direction.
The series has been an instant success, with attractive prize money, support from many of the world’s leading riders, and good levels of television coverage across a number of countries. The series comprises special CIC3* classes held across six legs – three in Britain (Chatsworth, Barbury and Blair Castle) as well as Wiesbaden in Germany, Arville in Belgium and Haras De Jardy in France. Points are awarded at each leg, with a £30,000 bonus for the overall series winner.
Paul is relishing the challenge of his new job, and is fortunate to still be able to compete alongside his ERM role. “We all work remotely, so the hours are slightly flexible, and it’s helpful having a boss who’s understanding of the need for time off to compete,” he says, referring to ERM founder and event horse owner Christopher Stone, who is based nearby in Sussex. “He does laugh at my attempts to wear my ERM hat whenever I compete!” he adds.
When it comes to wearing various different hats, Paul has always been a bit of a master. He was born in Sydney in New South Wales, and although his parents weren’t horsey he rode whenever he could. A weekly riding lesson turned into loaning a pony, then getting a horse, and coming up through Pony Club. He was talent spotted at the age of 13 and given the ride on an Advanced event horse, which is how his eventing career began.
While at university Paul founded the Advena Equestrian Centre, and he also set up businesses providing fencing and portable stabling. He came across to the UK in 1999 to ride and compete on a six-month basis, and after a winter back home in Australia he returned the following year for another ‘eventing holiday’, during which he won the three-star at Bramham. After a few years of spending summers in the UK and winters in Australia, he made a permanent move to Britain and wound up his businesses in Australia. In 2005 he married his wife Georgina, and the couple now have two children, Joshua and Madison. Having steadily climbed up the British Eventing rankings, Paul shot to prominence in 2010 when he and Inonothing won the world’s most famous three-day event, Badminton.
The Tapners are based at Wickstead Farm Equestrian Centre in Wiltshire, a BHS-approved livery yard, riding stables, Pony Club Centre, RDA and competition venue as well as home to Paul’s eventers. The facilities are pretty impressive, including a full cross-country course and ‘Wickstead Horseplay’, an outdoor arena with some all-weather cross-country obstacles. “We call Wickstead the mini Hickstead. Our little Derby course has obviously been useful prep for the Eventers’ Challenge,” says Paul.
When he was still eventing professionally, Paul had more than 20 horses in work at Wickstead, and last year he kept four top horses – this year, as he gradually winds down, he is down to two – Bonza King of Rouges, and a younger horse, Bob Chaplin, who finished second in the six-year-old championship at Le Lion D’Angers.
Tapner describes his Eventers’ Challenge winner King as ‘quirky’ but not overly high maintenance. “He generally prefers horses to people, he doesn’t like it if you take him away from his best friend, and he’s always best friends with whichever horse he just happens to be standing next to. But I’ve had him a long time now so I know how to manage his quirks.”
The gelding came from fellow Australian eventer Matt Ryan, who had competed him up to Intermediate before retiring from top level sport. “King is always going to these old retiring Aussie eventers,” Paul jokes. “When Matt retired he sold the horse to me, and now I’m nearing my retirement it’s not fair to pass him on to anyone else! So he’ll see his career out with me.”
If Paul and Bonza King of Rouges can indeed better their MS Amlin Eventers’ Challenge round from 12 months ago, they’re going to be very difficult to beat – and they could become the first back-to-back winner of this class since Gary Parsonage and Peter Street won in 2008 and 2009. Paul may be juggling his riding with his challenging new role, but he’s lost none of the skill, talent or competitive edge that has seen him rise to the top of his sport. Let’s see if he and King can treat us to another masterclass in timing things to perfection.
This article was first published in July 2018.
15 outstanding moments from the Royal International
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff takes a look back at some of the best moments from last month's Royal International Horse Show
Young guns
They are two of the best under-25 riders in the world, and last year they stood first and second in the King George V Gold Cup. Victoria Goff caught up with Gilles Thomas and Harry Charles
Quick as a Flash
Victoria Goff spoke to Gemma Stevens, last year's winner of the Ashby Underwriting Eventers' Challenge
A view from the Press Office: June 2023
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff takes a look at some of the standout moments from the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
Showing's standout moments from 2022
We take a look back at the best moments from the show ring at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show
Home turf
Shane Breen chats to Victoria Goff about finally winning the Al Shira'aa Derby, after nearly 20 years of trying
An Olympic ambition
Victoria Goff visits Al Shira'aa Farms, to find out more about their journey in showjumping.
Career change
It's been nearly two decades since the first RoR showing championship took place at Hickstead. Victoria Goff finds out more about transforming former racehorses into showing stars
In his prime
He's been one of the most consistent horses in the history of the Hickstead Derby - Victoria Goff finds out more about Harriet Biddick's remarkable horse A Touch Imperious
An outright victory
Clear rounds are a rarity in the Hickstead Derby, and often the class is won by a single first round clear. Victoria Goff takes a look back through the roll of honour
Hickstead's Christmas 2022 countdown
We count down our best moments from a brilliant year here at the All England Jumping Course
10 best moments from this year's Royal International
This year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show was a cracker – and wasn’t it wonderful to have five-star showjumping back at Hickstead where it belongs? Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff picks out her top 10 moments from this year’s show.
The view from the Press Office - June 2022
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff reflects on a fabulous week at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.
Superb Swedes
Victoria Goff reflects on the current strength and depth of the Swedish showjumping team
Thirty glorious years
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff looks back over three brilliant decades of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead
Magical moments from the Royal International
We choose some of the best moments from the past 30 years since the Longines Royal International Horse Show moved to Hickstead
Doney’s legacy
We pay tribute to Jon Doney, a highly-respected FEI official and an important part of Hickstead's team for many years
Doing the double
Only a select band of riders have won the British Jumping Derby and the British Speed Derby - Victoria Goff reveals which famous equestrians hold the honour of winning both
Teenage Dreams
In 2019, 19-year-old Michael Pender became the youngest ever rider to win the Hickstead Derby. Victoria Goff sat down to chat with him about his win
The Hickstead Derby in numbers
In 2022 we’ll see the 60th running of the Al Shira’aa Derby, one of the most iconic classes in showjumping. We take a look back over the decades at the Hickstead Derby in numbers.
60 facts about the Hickstead Derby
How well do you know the history of the famous Al Shira'aa Derby?
The 60th Hickstead Derby
The 60th Al Shira'aa Derby takes place in June 2022. Victoria Goff looks back on the history of Hickstead's most famous class
Harriet Nuttall Q&A
Showjumper Harriet Nuttall has an extraordinary record at Hickstead, having won the Science Supplements Speed Derby twice, the Science Supplements BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Science Supplements All England Grand Prix - plus finishing runner-up three times in the Al Shira'aa Derby. Alex Irwin caught up with her to find out more about what makes her tick.
Holly Smith Q&A
Alex Irwin caught up with Hickstead star Holly Smith at the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships
The unstoppable Irish
Victoria Goff looks back at Ireland's stunning win in the 2018 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain, and goes back into the history books to remember the other memorable Irish wins at Hickstead
William’s fabulous four
William Funnell joined the elite band of four-time winners of the Hickstead Derby last summer. Victoria Goff spoke to him about what it means to join the likes of Harvey Smith, Eddie Macken and brothers John and Michael Whitaker.
Top Speed
We take a look back over the history of the British Speed Derby.
By Victoria Goff
Five of the best
Five riders share the record of having four wins in the Hickstead Derby. Victoria Goff takes a look through the archives to relive these legendary performances.
Coming of age
A few days before his 21st birthday, James Whitaker scored his first major Hickstead win. Victoria Goff caught up with him ahead of the 2019 Longines Royal International Horse Show.
A Platinum President
The BHS President Martin Clunes is a regular visitor to Hickstead. Victoria Goff finds out more about his role at the British Horse Society, and why he loves coming to our shows
10 magical showing moments
We take a look back over some of the standout showing moments from the 2017 season
Perfect Timing
Paul Tapner talks to Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff about his first win in the MS Amlin Eventers' Challenge
Miss Consistent
Harriet Nuttall proved she's no Hickstead bridesmaid, when adding yet another major title to her CV last summer. Victoria Goff caught up with the reigning Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner
Fiesta Time
Brazil had an extraordinary run of form at last year's Longines Royal International Horse Show. Victoria Goff finds out more.
Worth the wait
Victoria Goff describes the wait Nigel Coupe had before he finally become the Al Shira'aa Derby Champion in 2017.
Doing it for Ella
Hickstead's press officer Victoria Goff caught up with Matthew Sampson, the winner of the Bunn Leisure Speed Derby
Race against time
Victoria Goff takes a look back at some of the famous Hickstead Derby jump-offs that have taken place over the years.
A New Era
Victoria Goff finds out more about Al Shira'aa, the title sponsors of the Hickstead Derby
12 moments we loved at this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
The Al Shira’aa Derby drew our June fixture to a close, and what a way to round off four fabulous sunny days of showjumping and showing. We take a look back at some of the best moments of this year’s show.
#RoadToHickstead contenders reveal...
We ask some of our leading Al Shira'aa Derby contenders some killer questions.
Harriet and Nigel go head-to-head
Two of the main Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby contenders, Harriet Nuttall and Nigel Coupe, discuss this year's challenge.
Hickstead Q&A - Hamad Ali Al Kirbi
UAE rider Hamad Ali Al Kirbi made his Hickstead debut last summer when he competed at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting. We caught up with him ahead of this year's show.
Can you spot our Mystery Guests?
We're very busy preparing the International Arena ahead of this year's Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting CSI4*, and with spring being somewhat late to arrive this year we've had to ask some special guests to join our Ground Crew!
Billy the King
Ireland's Billy Twomey enjoyed an amazing run of success at the 2016 BHS Royal International Horse Show, including a win in the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup. Victoria Goff spoke to him about his golden run.
A home from home
Hickstead is very familiar stomping ground for David Simpson, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner in 2016. Victoria Goff spoke to him about winning on 'home territory'.
The One to Watch
In the run up to the 2017 Longines Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff caught up with Amlin Plus Eventers' Challenge winner Esib Power.
The nation's favourites
Earlier this year, we asked you to vote for your favourite Derby-winning horses. Victoria Spicer counts down your top 10.
An unforgettable Adventure
Adventure De Kannan is one of the most successful Hickstead horses of recent times. Victoria Goff looks back at the remarkable career of the one-eyed wonder horse
William Whitaker: How to win the Derby
The 2016 Hickstead Derby winner William Whitaker shares his winning formula!
William Whitaker: Advice for Hickstead newcomers
If you haven't ridden at the All England Jumping Course before, the 2016 Hickstead Derby champion William Whitaker shares his insights into competing here.
William Whitaker: The perfect warm-up
The current Hickstead Derby champion William Whitaker explains how to nail your warm-up routine, both at home and at competitions.
William Whitaker: Winning a jump-off
Want to nail those jump-off rounds? Hickstead Derby 2016 champion William Whitaker shares his advice, and suggests two training exercises to improve your performance against the clock.
William Whitaker's training secrets
In the run up to this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, reigning Derby champion William Whitaker shares his showjumping training insights.
Words by Victoria Spicer, photos by Daisy Honeybunn
6 links between Hickstead and the Grand National
The home of British Showjumping and the most famous race on earth have more in common than you might think, writes Victoria Spicer...
A winning debut
Chloe Winchester, winner of the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2015, chats to Victoria Spicer about her winning debut at Hickstead
Elizabeth the first
Last year Elizabeth 'Beezie' Madden became the first woman ever to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup. In 2015, she did it again. Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Spicer caught up with America's first lady of showjumping.
12 moments we loved at this year's Derby meeting
There was rain, there was mud, but much more importantly there was some brilliant competition at this year's Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting. We choose our top 12 moments from this year's show.
Back on top
Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Spicer chats to the connections of Loughnatousa WB, a horse who holds a very special record in the Derby...
Three in a row
Journalist Andrew Baldock takes a look back over the Hickstead archives at the three riders who have won the Derby three times in succession - and finds out which other riders came close...
A cool guy
Victoria Spicer chats to Guy Williams, the winner of the 2015 British Speed Derby, about setting records and why Hickstead will always be special to him
Eight great Derby rivalries
There have been some amazing clashes in the 56 years of the Hickstead Derby. Pippa Cuckson takes a look at some of the great rivalries over the years...
Breen’s Derby dream comes true
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Spicer chats to the 2014 winner of the Equestrian.com Derby, Trevor Breen.
Five Minutes with Fran Callan
Continuing our new Five Minutes With... series, we caught up with Fran Callan, the head travelling groom for Trevor Breen. As part of her job, she looks after Hickstead megastar and reigning Equestrian.com Derby winner Adventure De Kannan...
Miller's tale
Victoria Spicer meets Phillip Miller, winner of the 2013 Hickstead Derby, to talk about his rise from riding school lessons to Hickstead champion.
A lesson with Derby winner Phillip Miller
When we ran an exclusive Hickstead Derby Community competition to win a lesson with the 2013 Derby winner Phillip Miller, we had a great response. In the end, we selected 25-year-old Jodine Brooks from Kent and her seven-year-old Dutch gelding, Camorasun.
15 facts about the Derby course
From poles that 'twang', resident newts and motorway fences turned into showjumps, Victoria Spicer investigates 15 things that you might not know about the most famous course in British showjumping...
Five minutes with Phillip Miller
Her latest victim in the 'Five Minutes With Series…', Daisy sits down with natural born comedian and Hickstead Derby superstar, 2013 winner Phillip Miller…
Five minutes with Bob Ellis
Daisy Bunn is back in the interviewer's chair this week with Hickstead's very own Bob The Buider, world renowned, Olympic course builder Bob Ellis...
10 iconic Derby moments
Last seen disappearing into our dusky archives, Hickstead Press Officer and journalist Victoria Goff has put together a review of 10 of our most iconic Derby moments over the years
Five Minutes with Steve Wilde
Continuing our new Five Minutes With... interview series, Hickstead Director Daisy Bunn sits down with Hickstead's 'golden tonsils', commentator and Director of Ceremonies Steve Wilde...
Five minutes with Daisy Bunn
As part of a new series, exclusively for our HDC members, Hickstead Director Daisy Bunn is going to catch key members of the Hickstead team for mini 5 minute interviews, to give our members a unique, behind-the-scenes take on everything Hickstead. Who better to start with than Daisy herself!
The best of the best
Equestrian journalist Charlotte Ricca-Smith asks Hickstead Derby winners to name the performance - apart from their own! - that impressed them most.
A Hickstead first
In 2013, Paul Beecher became the first person to produce a clear round having been drawn first to go in the Hickstead Derby, then go on to win the class. Victoria Spicer spoke to him about his achievement.
A National treasure
Harvey Smith is the only man to have won both the Hickstead Derby and trained a Grand National winner. Victoria Spicer reflects on his remarkable achievement.
Olympic heroes
Did you know that three out of the four showjumping gold medallists from London 2012 are past winners of the Hickstead Derby? Victoria Spicer catches up with them to find out what those wins meant.
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