Latest from Horse & Hound in The-billy-stud

Two ‘adored’ Billy Stud mares claim first and third for the Bunn family in Royal Windsor’s prestigious Walwyn trophy

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 02 May 2024 19:20:42 +0000

The Billy Stud rider Lucy Townley described finally lifting the prestigious Walwyn Novice Jumping Championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show as a “very special” moment.

She laid claim to the silverware for this six-year-old final in tremendous style, winning with the Billy Stud’s super young mare Billy At Last (by Cevin Z, out of Lux mare Tiamo) but also finishing third on her aunt Lizzie Bunn’s auction purchase Billy Mojito (by Billy Tudor, out of Dutch Capitol mare Damora Z).

“I’ve wanted to win this class for a very long time and it’s always been very lucky for me and I’ve been well placed many times, but I don’t think I’ve always had the belief to try to win it,” said Lucy, who credited the Billy Stud’s Roger McCrea and William Funnell for honing her jump-off tactics.

“What they’ve been doing in a jump-off is making me really have a plan before I go into the ring, instead of thinking ‘I want to go quicker, I want to do this’. Actually the faster riders are the ones who go in with a plan and try to ride to that plan. Be tighter – but you need to have a thought behind it. So they’ve been really helpful with that.

“So I’m so pleased it all came together today – yesterday I was trying really hard not to think about it too much because I really wanted to go well today and I was worried I’d overdo it. Roger gave me a jump yesterday and the horses were in great form, so I just thought ‘Stick with the plan, don’t overdo it in the Foxhunter [the first class of the day which qualifies for the Walwyn], get your first rounds jumped, then if you’re in the jump-off try your best.”

“Pocket rocket” proves an exciting winner

Lucy Townley (née Bunn) describes the six-year-olds Billy At Last and Billy Mojito as “complete stars” but “very different to ride”. Riding two of the five horses through to the Walwyn Novice Championship jump-off, she had a very quick turnaround, too, making her competitive performances in the ring with the two mares even more impressive.

“Then Billy Mojito, owned by my Auntie Lizzie Bunn, was bought in the Billy Stud auction as a four-year-old and Lizzie has had so much success with her purchases from the auctions, which reflects well on the whole Billy Stud and the auctions. The horses coming through from Donal Barnwell are phenomenal.

“We adore Billy Mojito, she’s such a special horse, she’s a really good jumper, she’s very careful but she wouldn’t have quite the same turn of foot and actually my jump-off with her was smoother and I was surprised with the time difference.

“But ‘Last’ is just such a little pocket rocket.

“I absolutely loved it out there but I was nervous to enjoy it because Nicole Lockhead Anderson and she’s always fast, so I really thought she was going to get me.”

Following on from her success with Mecoblue PS in the LeMieux 1.40m, Nicole Lockhead Anderson made a bold bid from last draw with the exciting Diagolda PS (Diaron x Kannan) but had to settle for second place, just 0.3sec off Lucy’s winning time.

‘Farewells are never easy – these horses are your best friends’: British grand prix showjumper sold to US rider

Becky Murray — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:49:12 +0000

The Billy Stud has said an “especially challenging farewell” to William Funnell’s much-loved 18.2hh “gentle giant” and five-star ride Equine America Billy Diamo, who has been sold to the United States.

The 14-year-old gelding, by Cevin Z and out of Andiamo mare Annagroff, will join a young rider in Florida.

Billy Diamo was bred by the Billy Stud and started his early career with the stud’s rider Lucy Townley, before William took over in Diamo’s seventh year. Diamo jumped his first World Cup qualifier with William at Olympia, the London Horse Show, at the end of 2018, and the following year they made their first Nations Cup team appearance for Great Britain, at St Gallen, Switzerland.

Diamo continued to compete in grands prix at top venues and shows around the world. In 2021 William and Diamo were shortlisted for the Tokyo Olympics, but ruled out when William broke his ankle in a fall from the gelding during the Nations Cup of Sopot weeks before the Games. The following year they won the Hickstead Derby Trial, and last year they were third in the Hickstead Derby.

William told H&H Diamo is the “most honest, genuine horse you can find”.

“For me he was a fantastic horse; being third in the Rolex grand prix at Royal Windsor in 2019, jumping clear in the Hickstead Derby, winning a three-star grand prix – over the years we’ve had some pretty good results. It’s nice for another horse we’ve bred to be at the top of his sport,” he said.

“These horses are your best friends, I have had a lot of pleasure from him and I think it’s important when they’ve given you so much to make sure they end up going to a good home. With me taking the job training in the UAE, I’m not going to have as much time to jump this year so it seemed the right time, and the opportunity came up to sell him to an up-and-coming young rider. He’s going to do a super job of bringing her up from doing 1.30s through the levels.

“He’s been loved all the way through, and it’s nice to find a home for him where he’ll be loved again. He’s in warmer weather in Florida now.”

A Billy Stud spokesman added that “farewells are never easy, but this one is especially challenging”.

“Billy Diamo has had such a remarkable journey at the Billy Stud and has been an invaluable member of William’s string for many years,” he said.

“We can’t thank Diamo enough for the countless memorable moments we shared, and we look forward to following his future successes. Wishing him and his new owners all the luck and happiness in the world together as they begin their journey together in the USA.”

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Equine America Billy Diamo: a loveable gentle giant with a playful streak

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‘A new focus’: top British rider steps back to help UAE prepare for Paris 2024

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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Rise in UK elite horse auctions helping to show off ‘uncut British diamonds’

Becky Murray — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 19:33:01 +0000

A rise in the number of elite horse auctions is providing a platform to promote British breeding and boost the UK sales market.

New events have taken place this year including the Brilliance Horse Auction at London International Horse Show, the British Elite Sporthorse Talent (BEST) auction at Brendon Stud and the Scottish Sports Horse Auction at Rockrose Equestrian, in addition to existing sales at the Billy Stud and Bolesworth.

At the Brilliance Horse Auction, founded by William and Pippa Funnell and Chloe and Shane Breen, 10 horses sold – totalling £1,695,000 – to buyers from Saudi Arabia, the US and Europe. The top lot was eight-year-old mare Billy Etna, by Billy Congo, who sold for £300,000 to Belgium.

William Funnell, who started running the Billy Stud auctions in 2017, told H&H British breeding “has come a long way over the last 20 years”.

“Auctions are a good way to show European buyers that there are a lot of uncut diamonds here. And for us at Billy Stud, it’s a way to get our breeding and horses into the marketplace,” he said.

“For a buyer, the auction scenario is great because they can come and see 12 horses, they don’t need to pay for vettings and X-rays because it’s all done for them and if they don’t purchase, it doesn’t cost them anything.”

William added that when coming up with the Brilliance Horse Auction – which will run a second edition at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead in July – they had to think about how to bring foreign buyers to the UK.

“By having the London International as a platform, people could do shopping over Christmas and watch the World Cup,” he said.

“It was one of the only ways I could see that we could get Americans or people from the Middle East to come to an auction here – that’s where we miss out, because in Europe anybody in Germany, Belgium, Holland or France can drive to an auction within three hours.”

Shirley Light of the Brendon Stud told H&H the BEST auction, which will return next autumn, was available to stream online and they had bidders from Europe and the US.

“I think auctions are brilliant for the UK horse market,” she said. “It’s about having an experienced team behind them and people trusting that team. For our auction, we had the horses stabled here for two weeks beforehand, so we made sure they were handled and exactly as described.

“The Brilliance team did a great job in London. I think running auctions alongside events is definitely the way to go.”

Sonya Cunningham of Rockrose Equestrian launched the Scottish Sports Horse Auction, which ran in September, because she believed the sales system in Scotland to be “broken”.

“We’ve got some great horses here so I thought, ‘Let’s get them in one place and make it worthwhile for people to come and see them.’”

Pandemic purchases, defending champions and riders switching codes: who topped the NEXGEN finals 2022

Polly Bryan — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 12:02:22 +0000

This year’s NEXGEN finals took place at Hickstead, West Sussex, last week (22-23 September), and offered a fascinating showcase of young equine talent across the three Olympic disciplines, with plenty of worthy 2022 NEXGEN winners crowned. Check out the young horses you should be keeping an eye out for in years to come…

NEXGEN dressage winners 2022

Becky Moody was among the 2022 NEXGEN winners, landing the five-year-old dressage final with the very exciting Governor x Swarokski mare Magic Dream, who has already impressed judges in age classes this year.

“The first time I got on her, she spectacularly ditched me on the floor!” said Becky, explaining that the mare was bought from a video during the pandemic. “But since then, she’s never put a foot wrong.”

Meanwhile, Sadie Smith scored a decisive win in the seven-year-old dressage final riding the British-bred mare Swanmore Dantina, who was bred by Ben St John James, and is now owned by Sadie and Steve Reading. This is the Dante Weltino x Charatan daughter’s second consecutive NEXGEN title, having won the six-year-old final in 2021.

“She’s just getting better with age,” says Sadie. “She’s got an amazing temperament, so she’s very trainable and she loves the shows.”

Fiona Brennan and Leroy claimed the six-year-old dressage title, with a score of 8.42. Fiona rides the High Five US gelding for Adele Rawlinson and has produced him since he was a just-backed three-year-old.

“I’m so happy with him – I wasn’t expecting this at all,” said Fiona.

Mark Forrest won the four-year-old dressage final, riding the expressive Ivicii RMD to a score of 8.7 from judges Clive Halsall and Emmelie Scholtens. The Asgard’s Ibiza x Don Schufro son was bred by Rosie Moreton Deakin, who owned Ivicii’s dam, and she describes his temperament as “dreamy”.

Andrew Gould topped the inaugural NEXONE dressage final with Tatiana Skillman’s nine-year-old Negro x Jazz son Indigro. The pair scored 83.34%, including a nine for the potential and perspective collective, in this innovative class, showcasing rising stars that are further on in their training than those in the age classes.

NEXGEN showjumping winners 2022

Connie Gill rode Lizzie Bunn’s Billy Mojito to win the four-year-old showjumping final. The mare is by Billy Tudor and out of a mare by Dutch Capitol.

“She’s really straightforward and honest, and I felt that she was with me the whole way,” said Connie.

Connie Gill with Billy Mojito (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Another exciting young horse from the Billy Stud, the stallion Billy Pronto came out on top of the five-year-old showjumping final, ridden by David Simpson.

“He’s really beautiful to ride – I think we have a very exciting future ahead of us,” said David on the Billy Tudor son he has ridden only a handful of times. “I’m very impressed; I think he’s incredible.”

An event rider who finished sixth at the World Eventing Championships earlier this month won the NEXGEN six-year-old showjumping final. Gaspard Maksud rode Annabel Lewis-Gray’s Luxury B, who is by A Umonia Z and out of a Lux Z mare.

“She’s always quick on the clock,” explains Gaspard. “It’s nice to win these NEXGEN classes, because they’re quite competitive – and she’s a cracking mare.”

NEXGEN eventing winners 2022

The four-year-old eventing final went to Ellie Fredericks riding her mother Lucinda’s Upsi Britannia, with the judging panel of Frank Ostholt, Oliver Townend and Judy Hanock rewarding the Upsilon son’s gallop and cross-country technique.

“He might not be the flashiest on the flat, but he definitely brings it back for the cross-country – and he’s got an incredible gallop,” said Ellie, 18.

Ellie Fredericks with Upsi Britannia (Image credit: Samantha Chapman)

British-based Australian Sammi Birch came out on top of the six-year-old eventing championship riding Parkfield Breeding’s Parkfield Pumpkin, a son of Amiro Z. The gelding began eventing in April, but Sammi described the NEXGEN finals as his first big competition.

The NEXGEN five-year-old eventing title went to Sara Squires and Van Kaunitz.

Taps run dry at the Billy Stud during heatwave: ‘It couldn’t have happened at a worse time’

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:10:47 +0000

William and Pippa Funnell’s Billy Stud was caught up in the Surrey water shortage chaos caused by “technical issues” at a local pumping station near Cranleigh over the weekend.

Their taps ran dry on Friday evening (12 August), during the peak of the recent heatwave, and it was then all hands on deck to try to water the couple’s 100 stabled competition horses, as well as the Stud’s 100 or so mares and youngsters in the fields, all of whom usually have access to automatic drinkers.

“There was no warning – the supply just went off – and it was difficult to keep that many horses watered,” said William, who had been in Herning, Denmark, with his pupil Joe Stockdale, who was part of the bronze medal-winning showjumping team at the World Showjumping Championships, returning to a home without water on Saturday.

“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time, in the middle of a heatwave when it was pushing 37C, but we were very lucky that we had some friends who had a tanker and they managed to bring us in enough water to fill everything up on Saturday morning.

“It is unbelievable how much a horse drinks in that kind of weather – you really notice it when you have to start filling up water buckets by hand anyway!’

None of the Funnells’ horses could be worked for two days, because they didn’t have enough water to wash them off in the heat.

“We only just had enough to water them, we were using as many buckets as we could and we were filling up the troughs for the young ones every hour from first thing in the morning to last thing at night,” explained William.

Water shortage: ‘We thought we’d have to give our horses bottled water!’

Fortunately the Funnells also have their own water bowser, which they drove to the nearest working water supply they could find, which at least provided them with just enough water to last until the water board’s tanker arrived on Sunday.

“That then allowed us to fill up every empty trough and container we could,” said William. “But it could have been disastrous. We were so lucky. Without having had people helping us with the tanker and allowing us to fill up our own bowser, we would have been seriously struggling by Sunday.”

Residents across Surrey and Sussex were left without water for the whole weekend, as temperatures soared well above 30C in drought conditions, and hundreds were forced to queue for bottled water provided by Thames Water at stations across the region, with a maximum of two bottles allowed per person.

“When it first happened, our valued members of staff thought we were going to have to give all our horses bottled water, so they were spotted filling up their cars with bottled water,” said William. “The rules were that you were only allowed two bottles, and I believe the police were called shortly after, but luckily it was all sorted!”

Water supplies were restored in most areas on Sunday night, but problems with air pockets and low water pressure meant many residents, including the Funnells, were still experiencing problems until Monday night (15 August).

“It kept going on and off on Monday,” said William. “Apparently it was caused by something at the pumping station, which is why it was localised to Cranleigh, near us.”

By Tuesday, of course, the heavens had opened and rain showers meant the Billy Stud was well watered once again anyway.

“We could do with it raining a lot more still, though,” said William.

Superb Foxhunter final win for British-bred mare — at her first indoor show

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 22:59:54 +0000

Billy Nikon had never been to an indoor show before this week — but the seven-year-old turned not a hair as she and Lucy Townley cruised to victory in the Equitop GLME Foxhunter final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The Billy Stud’s Plot Blue mare was one of only seven of 25 combinations to get through the first round; the technical course caused issues from start to finish but she and Lucy jumped a superb, calm clear.

The combination were last to go in the jump-off, by which time only Joseph Trunkfield and Idwerd had jumped clear.

“A few weeks ago, when we were jumping the qualifiers, Will Funnell said ‘When you go in the jump-off, don’t be protective to try to jump clear, go for it’. So I thought, stick to the plan,” Lucy said.

“She rattled the second fence because I was a bit nervous and held her — as I was riding to the first fence, I thought ‘Holy sh*t, I’m last to go, I want to try to win this’ — and that mistake settled me, because I thought I had to ride her properly and give her every chance to jump the fences. She was amazing.”

Billy Nikon qualified by winning the Foxhunter masters at the British Showjumping National Championships in August, after which the team decided to save her for the Foxhunter final at HOYS, rather than take her to the world young horse showjumping championships in Lanaken last month.

“The decision paid off!” Lucy said. “I never thought I’d win here. I’ve been coming since I was tiny; my parents have always been involved, and when I was six or seven, it was my favourite week of the year.

“Then, when I was 15 or 16, I worked for Sky Sports here, getting riders for interviews, and thought that was the best. So this is unbelievable.”

Lucy described the mare as “phenomenal”.

“She’s amazing; she surprised me by how focused she is, she really coped with the atmosphere,” she said. “She’s never been to an indoor show before, but I think the biggest thing is the training and preparation we do at home.

“That’s the key; the support we get is what makes it, you’re not going in thinking ‘God, she’s never been to an indoor show’, because you’ve done the homework.

“She’s a star. She met the Household Cavalry this morning and just walked past them without turning a hair, so she could probably join them too!

“I’m so lucky. I’ve got the most amazing job, riding these top horses with William, Pippa and Donal Barnwell’s backing. They’re such a team, so supportive, and they believe in you.”

Billy Nikon will now go out in the field for a holiday for the rest of the year.

Inner-city riders’ chance to shine with top eventing partnership

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 20:03:20 +0000

Young inner-city riders look set to benefit from new pathways into the eventing world thanks to a new partnership with the Windrush Equestrian Foundation.

Ebony Horse Club and the foundation, which was set up in memory of rider Christina Knudsen to support talented young eventers, have joined forces to offer more opportunities to Ebony riders.

The partnership kicked off this month at the young eventers’ programme summer camp, held at the Billy Stud, at which Ebony riders joined foundation eventers for a day of training with Pippa Funnell.

Windrush chief executive Mariachiara Apruzzese said: “It was truly special to have a few young riders from Ebony Horse Club attend the training at the Billy Stud with our riders.

“We are very excited about this partnership and are looking forward to offering more opportunities for Ebony riders to experience the eventing world alongside our mentors and riders.”

The Ebony riders, with yard manager Tom, spent time with Windrush mentor Pippa, learning about running a professional yard and training future star riders. The partnership aims to offer training and work experience in eventing.

Ebony Horse Club general manager Naomi Howgate said: “A key part of Ebony Horse Club’s mission is to provide new opportunities and raise the aspirations of our young people.

“Working with the Windrush Equestrian Foundation helps us do this in a very exciting way. Having our youngsters work with top riders and coaches inspires them for the future and helps them learn things that they wouldn’t learn in their regular lessons at our centre. Maybe one day we will see an Ebony rider compete alongside a Windrush rider as a result of this exciting partnership.”

The foundation wants to explore the possibility of eventing work experience placements that would be suitable for Ebony members. Any yards or businesses that could offer such opportunities is asked to email info@windrushfoundation.org.uk

Equine America Billy Diamo: a loveable gentle giant with a playful streak

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:19:46 +0000

H&H’s showjumping editor Jennifer Donald speaks to British team rider William Funnell, Billy Stud rider Lucy Townley and groom Zoe Herbert about the Olympic shortlisted 18.2hh Billy Stud home-bred who William describes as “the best I ever had”...

Equine America Billy Diamo

Age: 11

Breeding: Cevin Z x Andiamo

Rider: William Funnell

Owner/breeder: The Billy Stud

Greatest achievements: represented Great Britain in Nations Cup of Drammen (2020) and St Gallen (2019); third in the 1.60m CSI5* grand prix at Windsor (2019); double clear in the World Cup qualifier at Sharjah (2020); runner-up in the CSI3* grand prix at Abu Dhabi (2020); third in the CSI4* grand prix at Liverpool (2018).

Rider William Funnell on Billy Diamo

“I took over from our Billy Stud rider Lucy Townley at the end of Diamo’s seven-year-old year and he did some nice things as an eight-year-old. Then at nine, he jumped his first five-star Nations Cup at St Gallen and was third in the Rolex grand prix at Windsor. That made a big statement that he was a five-star horse.

“He’s surprisingly blood for a big horse and more sensitive to ride than you’d imagine, but completely different from the likes of Billy Congo and Billy Angelo. For scope and carefulness, he’s the best horse I ever had and he takes everything in his stride.

“I have to think about time-faults just for the fact he has so much scope and I’ve been working on his strength, balance and control – which has taken a bit longer with him – so missing most of last year has probably done him no harm.

“He feels very good this year. We just have to hope the Olympics will happen because he’s the perfect team horse.”

Billy Stud rider Lucy Townley

“Usually big horses like him take a long time to be able to balance themselves around a course and down a distance, but because Billy Diamo’s so active with his hindlegs he always found it easy. It was actually nearly easier to get him back than to ride him forwards, so you could always sit well on him. He was so powerful and he always had a serious canter.

“He and his year-younger full brother Billy Tudor were probably the best of each of their year groups, but they are the complete opposite of each other – one is 18.2hh and the other is barely 16.2hh.

“Diamo and I did a few shows together, then he jumped the talent seekers at Hickstead and it was a tough class. There weren’t too many clears, but he popped round and gave everything a foot. Will was on holiday, so I sent him the video and that was the last time I jumped him in the ring! But I’m very proud of what he’s become.”

Billy Diamo’s groom Zoe Herbert

“Diamo’s just lovely, a gentle giant. He’s 18.2hh but nobody appreciates how big he is. Clipping him is like tackling two horses and to plait him I need a ladder. When we had Buckingham, who was big too, people said it was like I had a herd of elephants, and with Billy McCain being a big one as well, everyone still laughs at my ‘zoo animals’.

“Diamo watches all day out of his stable to see where everyone is. He’s funny to deal with and does tricks, so if I tilt my head one way he’ll copy me then change it at the same time.

“I prefer to keep my feet on the ground but the times I do ride him, he’s lovely – sharper than you think because in the ring he looks a bit dopey but he’s a sensitive one.

“I’m with them every day, so Will always says they’re like my horses rather than his, and Diamo and McCain are real favourites. I just play with them all day.”

This feature is also available in H&H, 25 February 2021

Elite sport horse sales thrive despite Covid-19 restrictions H&H Plus

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:32:03 +0000

As rapidly changing Covid-19 restrictions are limiting people’s ability to attend many elite auctions in person, H&H finds out how the sector has risen to meet the challenges and what this means for forthcoming elite sport horse auctions such as the Monart Sale and Goresbridge Go for Gold...

ELITE sport horse sales have been running successfully despite Covid-19 restrictions, as organisers focus on “controlling the controllable”.

The Monart Sale of elite event horses in Ireland is due to run online from 2 to 4 November, while the Billy Stud’s first Elite Auction, which ended on 18 October, was a great success, with the top lot, Big Star national six-year-old champion Billy Masai, selling to the US for £92,000.

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing held its yearling parade via live-stream on 18 October.

Highclere chairman and managing director Harry Herbert said: “We would normally have been welcoming 250 people per day over three days but with Covid, we decided to live-stream the parade. It was really well received and since buying our yearlings we have sold over 80% of our shares which is fantastic.

“The live-stream reached a much larger audience than ever before and proved that there is real interest in racehorse ownership despite the current challenging economic climate.”

The Billy Stud’s William Funnell told H&H that more than ever, with current restrictions, auctions like his give everyone an opportunity to buy online.

In the first elite auction, Billy Tiberius and six-year-old mare Billy Seymour went for £90,000 and £72,000 respectively.

“Some of them might have made more from private sales, but I think this is the way forward,” William said. “Originally, we started the online auctions as a pre-event to the main auctions, but even before this year things had started to move online, as I think it works for seller and buyer.”

William added that having detailed footage, vetting and X-ray details for horses helps buyer confidence, while the stud protects its good name. Another 10 top Billy horses go up for auction this weekend.

The Monart Sale (2-4 November) has a changed format, with investment in the equestrian venue to cope with hosting the auction. This includes new broadband lines to cater for the auction live-stream.

“Monart has never done online bidding before and this is a positive development that will be here to stay for future sales, but it’s a big investment upfront with no guarantee that the business generated will match the investment,” a spokesman said.

Sale director Niall Griffin added that: “Our main focus is to control the controllable.”

“No matter what way this goes, a lot of it is out of our control,” he told H&H. “We want to give our vendors and buyers as much confidence as possible.

“We’ve invested heavily in making Monart Equestrian as Covid-secure as possible.

“The biggest development is the new online bidding platform and the live-stream. We’ve never done a live-stream for the sale before, but we’re hopeful it will open the sale up to new bidders from around the world. In a normal year sales would expect online bidding to equate to 20 to 30% of sales, but in a Covid year we’re expecting that to be more.”

Mr Griffin said different plans have been made depending on what level of restrictions are in place, as is the case for the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale. This select event horse sale has been postponed for four weeks, until 7 to 8 December.

Goresbridge managing director Martin Donohoe told H&H it is hoped that by then, restrictions will have eased, so those coming into the country will not have to self-isolate, and buyers may be able to attend sales.

“If not, it will all be online,” he said. “When we took promotional videos this year, we took a lot more views, to give more people opportunity to see the horses if they can’t attend in person.

“People are buying more online and getting more used to it; most people are having to think differently and change their ways of doing things in these unprecedented times.”

H&H 29 October 2020

Nick Skelton’s champion five-year-old showjumper sold abroad

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 06:03:23 +0000

Nick Skelton’s winning five-year-old, Billy Bilboa — who he describes as a future grand prix horse — has been sold to Ireland where a young rider has taken the reins.

The Billy Stud home-bred is by top stallion Plot Blue out of the Cevin Z mare Billy Corrib (a half-sister to Pippa Funnell’s great event horse Billy Walk On) and was the top-priced four-year-old when selling for £79,000 at one of the Funnells’ popular young horse auctions last year.

Due to the Olympic gold medallist and his partner Laura Kraut’s international commitments, the mare remained at the Billy Stud to further her education and has been ridden to great effect this year by 19-year-old Lottie Tutt, who described the talented grey as “careful and brave”. Their crowning moment came at the All England Jumping Championships when the pair headed the Al Shira’aa five-year-old final.

But after Nick accepted “an offer that was too good to refuse”, Billy Bilboa will now be seen under 15-year-old showjumper Gabrielle Enright from Ireland.

“Billy Bilboa had a great season, culminating in winning the five-year-old championship, but it’s lovely for us and it’s great for Nick, too, that she’s been sold to a good home,” William told H&H.

“It’s the success of horses like Billy Bilboa, who have been sold at our auctions and gone on to such great achievements, that has encouraged us to do an elite auction this weekend [Sunday 18 October]. It will feature 12 of our top horses ranging from four to six years old, but mainly six-year-olds.”

Among the 12 lots going under the hammer in the online auction is the current Big Star national six-year-old champion, Billy Masai (Billy Mexico x Billy Congo), who William describes as having “huge potential”.

Runner-up in that final was Billy Bakewell (Billy Um Bongo x Jazz) a “competitive mare with a great attitude” who also competed on the Sunshine Tour with William.

There is also a six-year-old stallion half-brother to William’s Olympic shortlisted horse Billy Diamo, Billy Cromwell (Zinedine x Andiamo), who has “all the attributes needed to take him to grand prix level”.

All three have a starting price of £25,000.

Also up for sale is a five-year-old stallion son of Emerald, the All England novice champion Billy Vitani and several well-bred four-year-olds.

“In this year more than ever with the current restrictions, auctions like this give everyone an opportunity to buy online,” added William. “So it will be interesting to see.

“After the success of the past five years of auctions, we feel that we have gained client confidence and now is the right time to introduce older proven horses at a higher value.”

Among the other horses sold at previous Billy Stud auctions are Billy Mufasa, the Hickstead four-year-old champion, and Billy Be Boss, the NEXGEN four-year-old title holder.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Spidge Photography)

Young horses rise to the Hickstead challenge with Nick Skelton a winning owner H&H Plus

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New series to crown next generation of equine stars at Hickstead

‘Breeders achievements in the UK need putting on the map and we need to showcase the strength we have in

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Nick Skelton visited the Surrey stud last week to view some of the elite auction horses and has his eye on “three or four” lots.

“I’m always keen to source new talent and I know that the way the horses are produced at The Billy Stud enables me to see a true representation of each horse,” said Nick. “William has definitely put together his best collection yet and I have my eye on a number of them. All credit to the team there for producing these horses so well.”

Bidding for The Billy Stud Elite Auction opens on Friday, 16 October at 9am and the first lot will close at 8pm GMT on Sunday, 18 October.

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William Funnell’s champion stallion to stand in Ireland

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:23:14 +0000

William Funnell’s European gold medal-winning stallion Billy Congo is standing at stud in Ireland this season.

In a new departure for the Billy Stud, they have sent the 19-year-old Vechta x Animo stallion to stand at the Kylemore Stud in Co. Galway.

“There’s been a lot of demand for him in Ireland and it’s difficult to get fresh semen there, so this seemed the perfect opportunity,” William told H&H.

“Donal Barnwell did some research and the Kylemore Stud seemed very forward-thinking. With Pip and I both having ridden Congo for so long, he’s part of the family, and it was very important for us to know he would be well looked after; their facilities are superb.”

Kylemore Stud is run by the husband-and-wife team of Olive and Ivor Broderick.

“We are delighted to have been approached to stand Billy Congo,” said Olive, a fully qualified AI technician with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and Defra, with an extensive knowledge of fertility problems and practices with mares and stallions.

“Rarely do breeders get an opportunity to access such an important stallion. His record in competition, and as a producer of performers, is as good as there is and we look forward to a great season with him here at Kylemore Stud.”

Billy Congo retired from top level sport last year, having been a “horse of a lifetime” for William. The pair secured podium places in some of the most prestigious grands prix in the world, as well as helping Great Britain to win team gold at the European Championships in 2013.

Billy Congo has long been hugely influential in the Billy Stud breeding programme, siring William’s Hickstead Derby winner and 2018 World Equestrian Games ride, the late Billy Buckingham, and other top performers including Billy Cool, Billy Fanta and Billy Onslow.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘He’s been such a good horse to us’: Pippa Funnell takes over the ride on Billy Congo

Find out the famous stallion Billy Congo, who is now enjoying life showjumping with Pippa Funnell

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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“It’s been disappointing that Congo hasn’t got more quality mares in England – especially considering the offspring he’s already produced – so we’re hoping he’ll have many more mares while he’s over there,” said William.

“He seems to really suit Irish mares – as you saw with Billy Buckingham who is by Congo out of an Irish mother by Clover Hill tracing back to King Of Diamonds. He seems to pass blood on to his offspring, which few stallions seem to do, and that obviously works well for the Irish type.”

Olive Broderick added: “We only stand stallions we truly believe in as producers, and Billy Congo ranks right up there with the best!”

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Celebrating Billy Congo’s amazing career as he concentrates on stud duties

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 03 May 2019 15:35:00 +0000

Following the decision that William Funnell’s outstanding partner Billy Congo will now be concentrating on stud duties, we look back at the glittering international career of this brilliant 18-year-old stallion.

The Billy Stud’s home-bred son of Vechta is currently standing at West Kington Stud in Wiltshire where he will be available for fresh semen. The stallion is also parading at Badminton Horse Trials today (Friday 3 May), where one of his many talented offspring, Billy Liffy, will be in action under Australian event rider Sam Griffiths.

“He finished second in the Queen’s Cup with Pippa last year so, at the age of 18, we decided it would be good to retire him on a high and totally sound,” William told H&H. “Although he might still go out and have some fun with her.”

We will certainly miss this spectacular stallion on the circuit — but the next generation looks very exciting.

1. Gold!

William FUNNELL riding Billy Congo (CH) GBR, in the Team FEI European Show Jumping Championship in Herning, Denmark in August 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

In 2013, William and his home-bred star (Vechta x Animo Elite) helped Great Britain secure the team gold medal at the European championships in Denmark in 2013 alongside Michael Whitaker, Scott Brash and Ben Maher.

2. Britannia rules the waves

William Funnell (GBR)&Billy Congo - Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain Presented By Longines - Hickstead, West Sussex, United Kingdom - 02 August 2013 (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

William and the son of Vechta flew the British flag more than 10 times together in Nations Cups and championships, including on home soil at Hickstead. Billy Buckingham, the son of Billy Congo, is now continuing the family tradition as William’s regular partner in team competitions, including at the World Equestrian Games in USA last year.

3. In the limelight

(Image credit: Stefano Grasso)

One of the pair’s best results came in the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Cannes in 2013 when they finished runners-up to Marcus Ehning on Plot Blue, earning William Funnell his first podium finish in the prestigious series. “He just seems to get better and better,” said William at the time.

4. What’s mine is yours…

Pippa Funnell and Billy Congo (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

William’s wife Pippa has been Billy Congo’s regular jockey in recent times, with some good placings on the international circuit, a national 1.35m win at Hickstead and a runner-up spot in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International.

“He’s a lovely horse and it’s a real privilege to ride something of his quality — he’s had the most amazing career,” said Pippa.

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William Funnell scoops H&H Trophy with Billy Congo at Liverpool International

It was a British one-two in the evening’s feature class as local hero Peter Charles picked up second

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‘He’s been such a good horse to us’: Pippa Funnell takes over the ride on Billy Congo

Find out the famous stallion Billy Congo, who is now enjoying life showjumping with Pippa Funnell

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

5. In the ribbons

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Monacoph.Stefano Grasso/Longines Global Champions Tour (Image credit: Stefano Grasso)

2013 was a phenomenal year for Billy Congo, with a string of top-10 finishes on the Longines Global Champions Tour, including this runner-up spot in the grand prix of Monaco, where they just lost out to USA’s Richard Spooner riding Cristallo.

Keep up to date with all the latest equestrian news, reports and features in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Showjumping star retires to the hunting field: ‘he has taken to it like a duck to water’

Lucy Elder — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 17:37:16 +0000

Hickstead star Billy Grand is enjoying a new adventure following a top-level showjumping career.

The 17-year-old gelding, who won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2011 with Daniel Moseley, relished his first day on the hunting field with eventer and Surrey Union master Alice Dunsdon.

During his competition career, the Irish sport horse jumped across Europe up to CSI5*-level with William and Pippa Funnell, and was also competed by a number of other riders.

Wonderful pictures of Billy Grand having his first day out with The Surrey Union. Very grateful to Alice Dunsdon for…Posted by Pippa Funnell on Thursday, January 24, 2019

Alice told H&H Billy Grand was “absolutely brilliant”.

“He stood like a rock at the meet and was very inquisitive about the hounds,” she said.

“Straight away he wanted to be up with them and all day he was as good as gold.”

The pair jumped a “couple of rails” and Pippa came out to see how he was taking to his new vocation.

The day came about as Alice saw Pippa in their local pub and the pair were chatting about the horses when Pippa mentioned she wondered if Billy Grand would enjoy hunting in his retirement.

One thing led to another and the next morning he went for his first day with the Surrey Union.

“There’s no excuse for me not jumping five-bar gates now,” joked Alice.

“He has taken to it like a duck to water, he was so sensible and he is so beautifully schooled and well mannered — I felt very lucky to be up there on him, it is a real honour to be able to ride him.

“He is such a lovely horse and he so loved watching the hounds, I just hope I can do Pippa and William proud.”

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Daniel Moseley leads the way in Queen’s Cup at Hickstead

The prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International is won by 21-year-old Daniel Moseley with Billy Grand

Pippa said she is “very grateful” to Alice for giving the horse this opportunity.

“A new life awaits for this gentle giant who William, myself and Dan Moseley had so much fun with, winning the Queen Elizabeth at Hickstead with Dan, one of the very special highlights of his career,” she said in a post on her Facebook page.

“Now 17 he will have some fun with Alice, it will be horrible in my yard without him but what a fabulous home to go to.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Your chance to own Billy Angelo’s full-brother

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 06:04:17 +0000

A full-brother to William Funnell’s top horse Billy Angelo will be for sale when the Billy Stud holds its second annual online auction of 27 young horses on 23-25 October.

After the success of the inaugural event last year where 10 three-year-olds were sold, William hopes this year’s auction will be “bigger and better” — “revolutionising the way young horses are bought and sold in Great Britain”.

A total of 27 lots will go under the online hammer, ranging from three-year-olds to six-year-olds under saddle, all with proven damlines and by world class sires — and not forgetting some of the Billy Stud’s legendary monikers including Billy Custard (Billy Congo x Clover Hill) and Billy Billabong (Billy Um Bongo x Aloube Z).

“They will be talented young jumpers, but the type to make eventers too — great sport horses for the future,” said William.

As well as this year’s star attraction Billy Da Vinci, a four-year-old gelding full-brother to Billy Angelo (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Kroongraaf), some of the equally exciting young horses up for auction include four out of Robert Whitaker’s great Nations Cup mare Karina, some proven jumping and three-day-event damlines and offspring by top sires including Plot Blue, Chaman, Billy Congo and Cevin Z.

All the horses for sale can be viewed at the Billy Stud on 22-23 October between 10am and 4pm, or by appointment before this. The 22 three- and four-year-olds will be loose-jumped and the five young horses ridden around a course of fences.

There will be a specific auction site where interested parties will be able to register and bid online during the auction. Registration and bidding will open one week before the viewing weekend and the horses will be sold in three groups — the three-year-old auction closes at 8pm on 23 October, the four-year-olds at 8pm on 24 October and the five- and six-year-old young horse auction is scheduled to close at 8pm on 24 October.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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William and Pippa Funnell and Donal Barnwell are

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The Billy Stud, a joint venture between William and Donal Barnwell, is now in its 23^rd year and has produced horses to successfully compete at the European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games.

For more information on the 27 Billy horses up for auction visit the stud website or email: info@thebillystud.co.uk.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Billy Stud holds first ever online auction

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 10:06:12 +0000

The Billy Stud is hoping to revolutionise the way young horses are bought and sold in Great Britain by launching its first online auction.

Ten three-year-olds, with sires including Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve, Billy Congo and Cevin Z, and well-related bloodlines, will go up for sale via the stud’s website next week.

There will be a chance to view the youngsters at the Billy Stud, run by William and Pippa Funnell with Donal Barnwell, in Surrey on 21-23 October. All will be loose jumped and five-star vettings will be available for each horse.

Online bidding for the 10 lots closes on 25 October.

The Funnells are hoping to emulate European auction events such as the world-renowned Hendrix Dutch Sport Horse Sales.

“This is the first time this has been done in England and we really hope it will work,” William told H&H. “We’re following the model of European sales where a lot is done online.

“The pound is at the lowest it’s ever been so we expect Europeans to show a lot of interest but it also means it’s far cheaper for people in this country to buy at home rather than to import horses, so we expect that most of the lots will be sold to Great Britain.”

With no reserve prices, each of the three-year-olds will definitely be sold with sale values expected to reach between €5,000 and €15,000.

“They will be 10 nice young, unbroken jumpers, but the type to make eventers too — so really nice sport horses,” said William.

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“Pippa and I are both heading towards the end of our careers and the young Billy horses are no longer about our own futures.

“So we’ve decided to sell our best three-year-olds to shorten our production process and make it less intensive.”

For more information including loose-jumping videos of the horses, click here.

Billy Stud rider Daniel Moseley sets up own yard

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:45:50 +0000

The Billy Stud’s stable jockey Daniel Moseley has left the Surrey yard to set up on his own.

The 23-year-old showjumper, who has been based with William and Pippa Funnell for the past four years, is now renting Norwegian former showjumper Morten Aasen’s Brookhurst Farm in West Sussex.

He made the move to his new base on 11 January.

“I’ve had a good four years with William, but now is the right time [to leave],” said Daniel, who in 2011 became the first male rider to win the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.

“I learnt a lot with William — about the business and riding — that I wouldn’t have done otherwise at my age.”

The rider is now on the look out for horses to fill his yard.

“I’m looking to try to build my own team and move on in my career,” said Daniel.

“My aim is to ride at the highest level, but I appreciate that this year will be a building block and that I’ll probably have to take a step back in order to go forward.

“It feels a bit nerve-racking, going out on your own, but it was a step I had to make at some point.

“Obviously, William would have liked me to stay, but he was in my situation once and is giving me his full support.”

William added: “It’s a great opportunity for Dan to build on his own and get his own owners — he’s well known as a rider now and should be more than capable. We’ve sold a lot of our older horses recently and running two strings of international horses is financially prohibitive.”

Two current Billy Stud riders, Lucy Bunn and 16-year-old former pony rider Zac Beasley, will be competing the young Billy horses, said William.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (17 January 2013)

Influential sire and showjumper Animo dies aged 29

Flora Watkins — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:55:02 +0000

One of the most influential sires in British sport horse breeding has been put to sleep.

Animo – the KWPN showjumping stallion – was put down at his home in Sussex last week, age 29.

His owner and former rider Morten Aasen toldH&H the stallion had been “suffering the effects of old age”.

“He started losing condition about six months ago. We wanted to give him the summer but we thought he didn’t need another winter. Animo had a good life and a good end.”

The stallion retired from stud duties two years ago. He is thought to have covered about 3,000 mares. Pippa and William Funnell used him as a foundation sire for their Billy Stud.

He has sired several leading showjumpers – including Ben Maher’s Robin Hood W – and is the damsire of Carl Hester’s rising dressage star, Nip Tuck.

“It was a very sad day,” Mr Aasen told H&H. “As we walked around the yard, I said to my farm manager, ‘there is something missing here’.”

Pippa Funnell told H&H it was “the end of an era“.

“He was so influential, not just in our breeding but throughout Europe.”

Mr Aasen added: “I’ve had messages of condolence from all over the world – it says a lot about him.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (24 November 2011)

Stallion and progeny viewing day at The Billy Stud

Horse & Hound — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:51:21 +0000

The Billy Stud is holding a stallion and progeny viewing day on Tuesday 12 April, at Jordans Farm, Dorking, Surrey.

The stud, run by William and Pippa Funnell and Donal Barnwell, is the largest producer of British-bred sports horses in the UK.

On show will be stallions Billy Congo, Cevin Z, Billy JJ and Billy Mexico.

Billy Congo won the British 7-year-old championships last year and Billy JJ was equal first at the British Young Horse Show Jumping Championships in 2008 as a four-year-old.

The stud currently has seven young horses on the equine pathway for 2012 for showjumping and eventing.

Entry to the viewing day, which will run from 11am – 2pm, is a donation of £10 towards the GRACE Cancer Charity and refreshments will be available.

Please e-mail info@thebillystud.co.uk to register attendance or go to www.thebillystud.co.uk for more information.

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“We adore Billy Mojito, she’s such a special horse, she’s a really good jumper, she’s very careful but she wouldn’t have quite the same turn of foot and actually my jump-off with her was smoother and I was surprised with the time difference.

“But ‘Last’ is just such a little pocket rocket.

“I absolutely loved it out there but I was nervous to enjoy it because Nicole Lockhead Anderson and she’s always fast, so I really thought she was going to get me.”

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‘Farewells are never easy – these horses are your best friends’: British grand prix showjumper sold to US rider

William told H&H Diamo is the “most honest, genuine horse you can find”.

“He’s been loved all the way through, and it’s nice to find a home for him where he’ll be loved again. He’s in warmer weather in Florida now.”

A Billy Stud spokesman added that “farewells are never easy, but this one is especially challenging”.

“Billy Diamo has had such a remarkable journey at the Billy Stud and has been an invaluable member of William’s string for many years,” he said.

“We can’t thank Diamo enough for the countless memorable moments we shared, and we look forward to following his future successes. Wishing him and his new owners all the luck and happiness in the world together as they begin their journey together in the USA.”

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Rise in UK elite horse auctions helping to show off ‘uncut British diamonds’

William Funnell, who started running the Billy Stud auctions in 2017, told H&H British breeding “has come a long way over the last 20 years”.

“Auctions are a good way to show European buyers that there are a lot of uncut diamonds here. And for us at Billy Stud, it’s a way to get our breeding and horses into the marketplace,” he said.

“For a buyer, the auction scenario is great because they can come and see 12 horses, they don’t need to pay for vettings and X-rays because it’s all done for them and if they don’t purchase, it doesn’t cost them anything.”

“By having the London International as a platform, people could do shopping over Christmas and watch the World Cup,” he said.

“It was one of the only ways I could see that we could get Americans or people from the Middle East to come to an auction here – that’s where we miss out, because in Europe anybody in Germany, Belgium, Holland or France can drive to an auction within three hours.”

Shirley Light of the Brendon Stud told H&H the BEST auction, which will return next autumn, was available to stream online and they had bidders from Europe and the US.

“I think auctions are brilliant for the UK horse market,” she said. “It’s about having an experienced team behind them and people trusting that team. For our auction, we had the horses stabled here for two weeks beforehand, so we made sure they were handled and exactly as described.

“The Brilliance team did a great job in London. I think running auctions alongside events is definitely the way to go.”

Sonya Cunningham of Rockrose Equestrian launched the Scottish Sports Horse Auction, which ran in September, because she believed the sales system in Scotland to be “broken”.

“We’ve got some great horses here so I thought, ‘Let’s get them in one place and make it worthwhile for people to come and see them.’”

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British-based Australian Sammi Birch came out on top of the six-year-old eventing championship riding Parkfield Breeding’s Parkfield Pumpkin, a son of Amiro Z. The gelding began eventing in April, but Sammi described the NEXGEN finals as his first big competition.

The NEXGEN five-year-old eventing title went to Sara Squires and Van Kaunitz.

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“It kept going on and off on Monday,” said William. “Apparently it was caused by something at the pumping station, which is why it was localised to Cranleigh, near us.”

By Tuesday, of course, the heavens had opened and rain showers meant the Billy Stud was well watered once again anyway.

“We could do with it raining a lot more still, though,” said William.

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Superb Foxhunter final win for British-bred mare — at her first indoor show

The combination were last to go in the jump-off, by which time only Joseph Trunkfield and Idwerd had jumped clear.

Billy Nikon qualified by winning the Foxhunter masters at the British Showjumping National Championships in August, after which the team decided to save her for the Foxhunter final at HOYS, rather than take her to the world young horse showjumping championships in Lanaken last month.

“The decision paid off!” Lucy said. “I never thought I’d win here. I’ve been coming since I was tiny; my parents have always been involved, and when I was six or seven, it was my favourite week of the year.

“Then, when I was 15 or 16, I worked for Sky Sports here, getting riders for interviews, and thought that was the best. So this is unbelievable.”

Lucy described the mare as “phenomenal”.

“She’s amazing; she surprised me by how focused she is, she really coped with the atmosphere,” she said. “She’s never been to an indoor show before, but I think the biggest thing is the training and preparation we do at home.

“That’s the key; the support we get is what makes it, you’re not going in thinking ‘God, she’s never been to an indoor show’, because you’ve done the homework.

“I’m so lucky. I’ve got the most amazing job, riding these top horses with William, Pippa and Donal Barnwell’s backing. They’re such a team, so supportive, and they believe in you.”

Billy Nikon will now go out in the field for a holiday for the rest of the year.

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