Record win for Funnell at Windsor

24 September 2001

Pippa Funnell enjoys record third win at Windsor’s International Horse Trials

Reigning European Champion Pippa Funnell completed a winning hat-trick riding Burke’s Boy in the Horse & Hound section at the Windsor International Horse Trials.

Since winning last month’s Scottish Open Championships at Thirlestane Castle on Supreme Rock, with whom she will defend her European title at Pau, France, next month, Pippa has been enjoying a run of good form.

.At Windsor, Pippa took advantage when the first day’s leader Petra James and General Jackson, lying second going into the final phase, plunged to 20th place after clocking up 24 faults in the show jumping.

However, Pippa could still only afford one error to stay ahead of William Fox-Pitt and The Professor.

Going last of the 47 who had survived the cross-country, Pippa kept her cool and clocked up a clear round, in spite of tapping a rail at the double to claimthe Windsor title for the third time, having also won it in 1995 and 1996. Pippa and the 11-year-old Burke’s Boy finished on a score of 39.8.

William Fox-Pitt finished in second place after a clear show jumping round on a score of 48.2, while William Levett and Norwegian Connection were third on 54.6.

Results

Horse & Hound (Copper Horse)

1, Burke’s Boy (P Funnell) 39,0,0=39; 2, The Professor (W Fox-Pitt) 48,0,0=48; 3, Norwegian Connection NJ (W Levett) 49,0,5=54.

Mentor Corporation (Castle)

1, Another Ben II (N Burton) 48,0,5=53; 2, Joli Roger III (A Nicholson) 53,0,5=58; 3, Inside Information (A Hilton) 51,7,0=58.

Hartpury College Young Rider Championship

1, Volnay (C Clague-Reading) 51,0,0=51; 2, Done To Order (P French) 51,0,0=51; 3, Oregon (S Poppe) 52,0,0=52.