Paul Tapner

Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th May 2025

Paul Tapner

Australia
  • 74 - Bonza King of Rouges

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 (15th).

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Entries

Bonza King of Rouges

ISH, Ireland, 2003
16.2hh , grey , gelding

Sire Chillout

Dam Stapka (Paddy's Birthday)

Breeder Vincent Maloney

Owner(s): Angela Scott, Cirencester, Glos.,
Jenny Waaler, Faringdon, Oxon
& Rider

Notable Results

2017 – Burghley CCI4* 19th Bonza King of Rouges

2017 – Hartpury CIC3* 4th Bonza King of Rouges

2017 – Bramham CCI3* ret Bonza King of Rouges

2016 – Strzegom CCI3* 4th Bonza King of Rouges

2016 – Blair Castle CIC3* 3rd Bonza King of Rouges

2016 – Tattersalls CCI3* 1st Prince Mayo

2015 – Pau CCI4* 17th Indian Mill

2015 – Waregem CICO3* 4th Bonza King of Rouges

2015 – Burghley CCI4* 13th Kilronan, 34th Vanir Kamira

2014 – WEG Caen 15th Kilronan

2014 – Aachen CICO3* 11th Kilronan

2013 – Burghley CCI4* 25th Kilronan

2013 – Hopetoun CIC3* 1st Kilronan

2012 – Burghley CCI4* RET Inonothing

2012 – Luhmuhlen CCI4* 10th Inonothing

2010 – Burnham Market CIC3* 1st Stormhill Michael

2009 – Burghley CCI4* 7th (Inonothing)

2009 – Burghley CCI4* 15th (Kilfinnie II)

2009 – Luhmuhlen CCI4* 7th (Inonothing)

2008 – Burghley CCI4* 9th (Inonothing)

2008 – Belton CIC3* 1st (Inonothing)

Badminton

2017 – El Bonza King of Rouges

2016 – 18th Kilronan

2015 – 13th Kilronan

2014 – 4th Kilronan

2013 – 20th Kilronan

2011 – 24th Kilfinnie II

2010 – 1st Inonothing & 10th Stormhill Michael

2009 – 24th Kilfinnie II 18th Stormhill Michael

2008 – 28th Inonothing

2007 – 13th Inonothing

2004 – 25th Highpoint