Top British showjumper and UAE chef d’equipe William Funnell talks about the importance of aligning rules and pays tribute to “a fantastic human being”
It was with great sadness that we learnt last week that the great course-builder Bob Ellis had passed away. He brought on the art of course-building in this country in leaps and bounds, with his own style of loop-backs, and I know he was immensely proud of designing the courses for the London Olympics in 2012.
He was always there to help while we walked his courses and he was unfailingly constructive. What he did to help young course-designers was typical of the man – he was such a giver – and that next generation coming through is just a part of the huge legacy he leaves. He was a fantastic human being.
Back on grass
With the Hickstead Derby coming up this week and having been away on chef d’equipe duties for the UAE squad recently, I wanted to get some competition practice on grass. So it was lovely to find time to go to Suffolk County show.
It really brought to light just how great these shows are for educating young horses as well as providing an opportunity for crowds to watch our sport. We are the main ring entertainment, so British Showjumping (BS) needs to make sure these shows are better supported.
To do that, the classes need tweaking because the rules surrounding the height of the fences and the qualification of the horses in classes like the international stairway is proving too restrictive. The stairway started life as a route to being picked for a team and I’m not sure that’s the case anymore.
The ridiculous thing is that I’m preparing my horse for the international competitions at Hickstead this week, but I need to change its tack to compete in these national classes. This is because of some controversial and much-debated new BS rules regarding bitting, nosebands and certain rein attachments.
The FEI’s rules are all made with horse welfare as top priority, so there has to be a case for BS sticking to the same tack regulations as those in place for international competitors.
Helping with young horses
I brought up in a column last year what a disgrace the five-year-old championship jump-offs at the FEI WBFSH (World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses) Jumping World Breeding Championships have been over the past couple of years. Hopefully the introduction of an optimum time in Lanaken this year is a positive move.
I’m not completely sure it’s the right thing but the options are limited – style and performance can be controversial and tends to favour big, flashy horses on the day. So at least they’re making an effort and hopefully BS can implement the same FEI rules to the British young horse championships, which act as a selection for Lanaken.
All roads lead to Hickstead
I was in La Baule last week helping Joe Stockdale on the Nations Cup team that finished fourth. Britain’s chef d’equipe Di Lampard has done a great job trying to slot in a few new horses this season and it’s been super to see Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo doing so well ahead of the World Championships in Aachen in August.
Depending which horses Ben Maher and Scott Brash have available to them will make a massive difference to the strength of the British team, but once again we’re quite short of new up-and-coming partnerships.
I’m bringing the UAE riders to Hickstead this week as part of their build-up towards the Nations Cup there next month. With our young Billy Stud horses in action ahead of our summer auction on 23 June and preparing Dublon for another tilt at the Derby, it’s going to be busy!
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You might also enjoy reading:
Former winners to triumph, or a surprise result? Find out who’s taking on the 2026 Hickstead Derby
Tributes paid to London Olympics course-designer Bob Ellis who built top tracks around the world
Extra changes to young horse World Championships to support welfare and ensure ‘age-appropriate competition’
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