Australian Paul Tapner was over the moon to take his first ever Badminton title. He explained that since he began riding, Badminton has been his goal: “You can’t get much better than this,” he said.

Paul had had a few issues with the show jumping phase. “I went to Ros Morgan and said ‘fix it’ and she did. He’s not hit a rail since. He’s such an old legend now.” Paul entered the arena with a fence in hand, but did not need to use it today. He hopes to “tick the Kentucky box" later this year.

Ros’ twin sister Lisa helped him warm up today as Ros was unable to attend. But Ros still found time to give him a “lesson” on the phone last night.

Paul, who is originally from Sydney’s northern suburbs, came to the UK to compete in 1999. He spent three years travelling between the two, before finally settling here.

Of Inonothing, Paul said: “He wasn’t a Badminton horse when I first sat on him; I was asked to ride the horse as he had unique behavioural problems; he was a hunter and known with the Old Bucks Hunt as ‘the mad horse.’ His nickname is Spinhead, when gets spooked spins around. I’m sure it’s entertaining for people who aren’t riding him,” he laughed.

After one particularly hair competition Paul was on the verge of calling the owners, Jenny and Claus Waaler, and admitting defeat with the horse, but for some reason he couldn’t bring himself to make the call telling them that the partnership was over. “From then on, he’s just got better and better.”

Paul also finished in tenth place with his other horse, Stormhill Michael after a fault free showjumping round brought him up from twelfth overnight.

Germany’s Andreas Dibowski was slightly disappointed with his second place finish. “This is the third time I’ve come second in a row,” he explained.

Third place went to Daisy Berkeley with the evergreen Spring Along. “He is like a fine wine,” she said. “He just keeps getting better.”

Coincidentally Daisy had seen Paul on the Thursday before Badminton and told him that she had her money on him to win the title. He replied: “You should get on the podium too.” So she did.

“Spring Along has won quite a bit showjumping. He’s got the biggest adrenaline gland in the equine world. He gets very excited about Badminton.”

Mary King and imperial Cavalier had to settle for fourth place after rolling a poll at fence eleven.

Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz stayed on their dressage score of 55.3 to claim eighth place – they were one of very few combinations to post a double clear.

Zara Phillips had a nightmare round on Glenbuck and clocked up 24 jumping penalties and 7.0 time penalties to finish on a score of 134.9, leaving them in 48th place.