May 4, 2010 — Australian Paul Tapner, described by fellow eventers as one of the hardest-working in the sport, went clear in the final jumping on Inonothing to hold his slim overnight lead at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials May 2. Tapner is the third Australian to win Badminton in the last four years, following Andrew Hoy (2006) and Lucinda Fredericks (2007).
“This means everything to me,” said Tapner. “Every second of this year has been focused on this moment.”
The jumping course, designed by Jon Doney (Great Britain), rode well, producing 16 clears, and Tapner was given a confidence boost with a clean round on his first ride, Stormhill Michael, on which he finished 10th.
Tapner, 34, first came to prominence when winning Bramham CCI*** in 2000 on Highpoint, a year after first arriving in Britain from Australia. It was the turning point that made him stay, and he is now married (to Georgina) with two children and lives near Swindon, Wiltshire. Inonothing has a consistent 4-star record, having been ninth and seventh at Burghley CCI**** in 2008 and 2009, 13th at Badminton in 2007 and seventh at Luhmuhlen last year. Inonothing is a 14-year-old Thoroughbred by Basildon Bond, owned by Jenny Waaler.
Andreas Dibowski (Germany) rose from fifth to second when jumping clear on Euroridings Butts Leon–frustratingly, it was the pair’s third runner-up placing in their last three 4-stars, following Luhm?hlen and Pau last year.
Daisy Berkeley (Great Britain) climbed from sixth to third, her best-ever 4-star placing, on the 17-year-old Spring Along.
There was, however, disappointment for Mary King (Great Britain) who dropped two places to fourth on Imperial Cavalier, who looked strong and hit the first part of the double. There was also disappointment for Simone Deitermann (Germany) who hit three fences and plummeted to 12th.
Camilla Speirs (Ireland), 20, riding Portersize Just A Jiff, a horse she has produced from a three-year-old, won the HSBC Training Bursary for finishing best of the 4-star first-timers in 14th place.
For full results, visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.
