Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges, pictured here after winning the MS Amlin Eventers’ Challenge in 2017.
© Nigel Goddard
By Equestrian Life
Australian eventer Paul Tapner has had to withdraw from next week’s Burghley Horse Trials due to an injury to his horse, Bonza King of Rouges. The horse will be rested in the hope of being back in work for the next season, with Badminton Horse Trials the aim in May.
The news was announced on the Tapner Eventing Team Facebook page:
“We have withdrawn Bonza King of Rouges from Burghley. Sadly this year was not meant to be. It’s a little raw and we are putting on brave faces but we are totally gutted. He will be fine and we will look forward to what next season may bring.”
A number of other Australian riders are on the entry list for Burghley, which runs from 30 August to 2 September, including Chris Burton and Cooley Lands, Lucinda Green’s daughter Lissa Green and Hollyfield II, Bill Levett with both Improvise and Lassban Diamond Lift, and Warren Lamperd riding Silvia. With Chris and Bill set to start at WEG in Tryon (USA) in September with Cooley Lands and Lassban Diamond Lift, it’s unclear whether they will actually start at Burghley — meaning there could be just three Aussie combinations on the final start list.
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