PAUL Tapner won a top section at the Aldon BE (British Eventing) one day event in Somerset for an incredible fifth year running.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton three-day event winner, who rides for his native Australia but is based in Highworth, headed an Open Intermediate section on rising star Carry on Joseph, the 10-year-old he rides for owner Jane Gwillim-David.

The horse, who was scoring his first win since moving out of novice ranks, was one of only two home inside the optimum time cross-country.

That meant he moved up from fourth after dressage despite having one down in the middle showjumping phase.

Tapner was also sixth in another Open Intermediate section on the promising stallion Wickstead Didgeridoo, who is by the well-known event sire Mayhill, and seventh in the Advanced Intermediate on his 2011 intended Badminton ride, Kilfinnie II.

“Kilfinnie had a ‘nearly there’ season in 2010, not quite getting the results he deserved,” said Tapner, who co-owns the 13-year-old with local owner Sue White.

“He went clear cross-country on his Badminton debut in 2009 and was then second at the three star Bramham event last year, just missing a win.”

Tapner’s 2010 Badminton winner Inonothing has not yet returned from the injury sustained at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year.

“I like to have two horses to run at Badminton,” he added.

“It’s not possible this time, though, as my other advanced horse, Stormhill Michael, who was 10th at the 2010 Badminton, also suffered an injury last summer.

“He’s back in work but will not be ready for Badminton, which comes a bit earlier this time. He may go to the four-star Luhmuhlen event in Germany this June instead.”

Tapner finished off a good Aldon event with a BE100 Open win on Angela Scott’s seven year old Carlito III, who was competing at only his second BE event.