Pippa Funnell’s former top ride Cornerman dies
Cornerman – Pippa Funnell’s Pau winner – has been put down in his field at the age of 21.
The 16.2hh thoroughbred gelding was home-bred by his owner, Susie Cranston. He was by the National Hunt sire Neltino out of Mrs Cranston’s Lord Gayle mare, Lady Lichen.
Cornerman, or “Charlie”, was put down on 14 May at Mrs Cranston’s farm in Wymondham, Norfolk.
She told H&H: “He was looking amazing and could have won a veterans’ show class, but the tumour in his throat had grown and breathing was a problem.”
“Charlie” was fifth at Burghley in 2001, won Pau in 2002 (when it was a three-star event) and was sixth at Badminton the following year.
Badminton final scores
“He had numerous other great placings and so nearly won the ‘big ones’ – but was accident-prone,” said Mrs Cranston.
“He was a great character who we adored and Pippa found the best in him,” she added.
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Flora Watkins spent several years working for BBC News before moving into print, first as a staffer at Horse & Hound, before going freelance.