Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage day one: Pippa Funnell sixth

Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage: Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope — Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope at Kentucky 2022.

(Image credit: Amy Dragoo)

Pippa Funnell holds sixth place after the first day of Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage today (28 April).

The 15-year-old Majas Hope, who is owned by Marek Sebestak and his rider, is “very difficult” on the flat, but his test today started well. He scored plenty of sevens and the odd 7.5 and eight in his trotwork.

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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.

Pippa Funnell disappointed as ‘shy’ Majas Hope takes sixth in first day of Kentucky dressage

But his walk looked a little fragile and he jogged in the final corner before the mid-test halt, before spooking and holding his head high in the halt, with his marks dropping to threes and fours. He never really regained his composure through the canter and finished on a score of 35.6.

“I thought I had him and some of the trotwork I was very happy with,” said Pippa. “I can’t make excuses but I don’t know if the siren that went off distracted him in the walk. Then I never got him round and through again after that.

“He finds dressage difficult – he’s built hollow and he goes a bit shy in the arena. I give him as much confidence as possible, but he gets stage fright.”

Pippa added: “It’s disappointing to come all this way and have that test, especially when the work he’s been doing at home and at the smaller events is so much better, but he gets nervous on the big stage. He can get very distracted and when that happens, it’s a challenge to ride him.

“But he’s not a horse we we were expecting to challenge the leaders in the first phase and that’s why he’s here rather than at Badminton. He is a lovely horse and I am very fond of him.”

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