Pippa Funnell won Bramham Horse Trials CCI4*-L with a clear showjumping round on MCS Maverick. Pippa did not have even a second over the time in hand, let alone a rail. “I can’t tell you how special winning a big one is when you get to my stage – you think you’re past all that,” she said.
Sarah Ross’s 10-year-old MCS Maverick touched the front pole of the oxer at fence 10 but it stayed put and the pair finished on their overnight score of 30.5. This was Pippa’s fourth Bramham victory.
One horse was eliminated, from three who were sent to the holding box, at the Bramham Horse Trials final trot-up (11 June). Max Warburton’s ride in the under-25 CCI4*-L section, Rosemary Butler’s Monbeg Exclusive, was sent to the holding box and eliminated when he was re-presented. The pair were fifth after cross-country.
Max Warburton and Monbeg Exclusive at the final trot-up at Bramham 2023
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
3. Super cob’s extraordinary turnaround
A cob who arrived at his owners’ overweight and having not been ridden for years has shed 150kg and gone on to win an affiliated event and qualify for the regional championships. Scooby Doo, owned by mother and daughter Mandy and Emma Morris, finished on his dressage score of 25.8 to win the BE80(T) at Cooke Coachbuilders Stafford Horse Trials on 3 June. This was his and Emma’s sixth top-10 placing from their seven British Eventing starts, which also include three second-place finishes.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
