Paul Tapner aiming for record third win at Hickstead

Australian event rider Paul Tapner returns to Hickstead this week with the aim of becoming the first person to win the new format MS Amlin Eventers’ Challenge, three times in a row.

Paul was victorious in both 2017 and 2018 with the grey Bonza Ring of Rouges, and he hopes he can make it third time lucky with another victory in the Longines International Arena on Thursday 25 July.

But there will be plenty of rivals hoping to bring Paul’s winning streak to an end, including Gemma Tattersall, who won the first leg of the NEW Bolesworth Eventing Grand Prix in June. Gemma was also part of Britain’s gold medal-winning team at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games. She rides Chico Bella P, a mare who has been consistently placed on the Event Rider Masters series.

Other big names taking part in the MS Amlin Eventers’ Challenge include New Zealand’s Lucy Jackson, Ireland’s Joseph Murphy and Brits Alex Bragg, Jeanette Brakewell, Matthew Wright and Nick Gauntlett.

Last year’s runner up Georgie Strang returns for another crack at the title, having finished second to Paul 12 months ago with Cooley Earl.

The Thursday of the Longines Royal International Horse Show is always an exciting day as we welcome the event riders to Hickstead,”

says Lizzie Bunn, Director of the All England Jumping Course.

We can’t wait to see if Paul Tapner can set a new record, having become the first back-to-back winner of this class already. He was a man on a mission last year, and we’re expecting him to be even quicker this year!”

Tickets for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain at the Longines Royal International Horse Show (23-28 July) are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.