‘Building friendships with your horse’: Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook to star in London
Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook will share their expertise and advice at the London International Horse Show, in a session about building relationships with horses.
The two medal-winning eventers, friends and teammates on many occasions, are the latest addition to the show’s LeMieux masterclass series. The session, Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina, will take place in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena at the ExCeL centre on the Friday of the show (15 December).
A spokesman for the event said Tina and Pippa will “pool the knowledge the pair have collected over three decades of riding at the top level of sport, discussing their relationships with both human and equine teammates”, adding: “Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina is an hour-long lesson in developing those vital connections that produce results at all levels.”
Tina and Pippa will put together exercises that those watching will be able to do at home.
“It’s all about building that friendship with your horse or pony,” said Pippa, “To which we all know there are no shortcuts – but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring!
“We’ve both produced horses from the ground up. We’ve both produced youngsters, and horses who don’t necessarily have the ‘whole package’ – but this masterclass is all about working with what you have; emphasising the natural talents and supporting those areas where a horse and rider might be weaker, to create that perfect partnership for enjoyment and success.”
The session will include work on the flat and over poles, and “pay special attention to establishing self-discipline and the basic techniques which are the basis of any good partnership, with Pippa and Tina’s trademark light-hearted flair”.
Pippa added:“It’s all got to be fun – for both horse and rider.
“That’s what creates the best partnerships – when both we and our four-legged friends are enjoying ourselves!”
You might also be interested in:
‘The golden rule is to keep having fun’: Pippa Funnell continues Bramham momentum to scoop Luhmühlen lead
‘I’ve loved every minute’: Olympic eventer calls time on top-level career after sad loss of horse
Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook on pregnancy confidences, nerves and why you need good mates
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.