HIGHWORTH-based eventer Paul Tapner has said that he has a four-star winner in his clutches with Indian Mill after another impressive showing on day three of the Badminton Horse Trials.

This event may have come too soon for the 10-year-old, but a clean round under the allotted time on the cross-country stage of the event has lifted him to sixth place overall heading into the final day.

Despite a few wobbles on the course, Tapner and the horse, who has been put on the Australia squad for the Rio Olympics next year, came back unscathed and on time.

The pair go into the final day just 4.1 points behind leader Andrew Nicholson, with a fence down in the show jumping equating to four penalty points, but Tapner has remained reserved and thinks that today may have taken too much out of the horse to be competing for the podium spots.

"I had some very anxious moments," he said.

"The horse is new to this level, the crowds really distracted him and he made some very green young horse mistakes but thankfully he stayed up right, thankfully I stayed up right and thankfully we stayed between the red and white flags.

"There was a lot more luck to do with it and the forward momentum and just the general law of physics kept us going between the flags sometimes.

"He does love his job and he is a fantastic event horse. All three phases he is very competitive at but he is young, he is a little thorough-bred and a little weak so it is going to take him some time.

“Inonothing never shone at this level until about his fifth time here and this horse will be the same.

“I am sure there is a four star win in this horse, it’s not this weekend but certainly I am very happy with what has happened today.

“He is only going to get better from this experience.”

The Australian also rode Kilronan, who finished just outside the podium spots last year after leading after the cross country, and despite him picking up a few places he still finished down in 22nd position but Tapner is pleased with how his weekend has panned out so far.

“I would like to be in the top three rather than the top five but that is just because I am picky,” he added.

“We have had a little trot up session with Kilronan, he looks like he is ready to go again, so I am even more annoyed that he didn’t make time, but Indian Mill will not look quite so healthy, he will be a bit more tired.

“Physically and mentally it is a lot more for him being the first time here and I chased him round under time even with having a few wobbles.

“We’ll have a bit of work to do with him to make him ready for tomorrow.”