HIGHWORTH-based eventer Paul Tapner is adamant success will breed success at the Chatsworth International Horse Trials as he bids for his second victory in as many weeks.

The 34-year-old heads to the Derbyshire countryside in a rich vein of form having rode Inonothing to the prestigious four-star Badminton title less than two weeks ago.

With Inonothing and Stormhill Michael – who Tapner rode to 10th at Badminton – taking a well earned rest he will saddle up Tiger Flynne and Kilfinnie II at Chatsworth.

And with the three-star event doubling up as the only British HSBC FEI World Cup qualifier this year, Tapner believes his Badminton success on Inonothing will rub off on the rest of his stable.

“It is always my aim to have every horse on my team perform to its absolute best and Chatsworth is no exception,” said Tapner – who is based at Wickstead Farm Equestrian Centre.

“I am taking two good horses in Tiger Flynn and Kilfinnie II and I hope that that bit of success at Badminton rubs off on everyone else.

“Tiger Flynne is a bit of a one-day event specialist and for Kilfinnie II; Chatsworth is a bit of a preparation for bigger events coming up in the next few months.

“He is certainly there to be competitive as well and I will try and get as many World Cup points as possible because I don’t know how many I will end up doing.

“I have been to Chatsworth plenty of times before – it is a lovely course, a lovely venue and a lovely event.

“I am looking forward to it and the weather forecast looks good for the weekend and there should be a great atmosphere.”

This weekend’s Chatsworth International Horse Trials also hold added importance for Tapner with his last HSBC FEI World Cup outing aboard Tiger Flynne ending in heartache.

Tiger Flynne fell during the cross country leg of last year’s World Cup Final in Poland denying the Australian-based Brit a shot at the overall title which went to Germany’s Michael Jung.

And Tapner – who warmed up for Chatsworth at last weekend’s Hambleden International – has backed Tiger Flynne to overcome his World Cup woes and maintain his golden start to 2010.

“We made the World Cup final last year in Strzegom although Tiger Flynne was a bit unfortunate that he fell at the second to last fence on the cross country,” he added.

“Up until then he had been extremely competitive but events like Chatsworth are still his speciality and I want to put on a good show.

“It has been a fairly amazing if not rollercoaster past couple of weeks but it was good to get out before Chatsworth and I definitely want to keep that success rolling.”

  • HSBC is a platinum sponsor of the FEI – the highest level of sponsorship within the organisation.

This is the third year of HSBC sponsorship of the HSBC FEI Classics and HSBC FEI World Cup.