Paul Tapner and Indian Mill at Aachen 2015. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Paul Tapner as an ammy adult eventer? Yep! The 43-year-old Australian four-star rider is “stepping sideways” from his career as a professional eventer to working full-time for the Event Rider Masters (ERM) series.
He will be assuming the position of digital and technical manager for the series, which just wrapped up its inaugural year at Blenheim Palace. He was already involved in the live streaming of the 2016 series in addition to participating as a rider — he finished third overall in the 2016 ERM standings.
Paul told Horse & Hound that it was a difficult decision but “The ERM was always on my mind as my exit plan.”
He intends to continue riding and competing at the top level as as well, telling H&H, “I’m greedy, I want to have my cake and eat it! … I don’t want to be riding round BE100s, I enjoy riding at three- and four-star level; I’ve said I’m not going to be competing at elite professional level, but I will be an elite-level amateur rider.”
“You’ll hopefully still see me kicking around three and four-stars. I think cold turkey would have been doable for me — just not for everyone around me!”
Yes it’s true Paul is stepping sideways.
It’s time, eventing is emotionally and physically demanding. Paul is now more…Posted by Tapner Eventing Team on Wednesday, September 21, 2016
You do you, Paul! Enjoy that cake, and Go Eventing.
