William Funnell opens equestrian department at South Downs
Top show jumper William Funnell was guest of honour at the opening of South Downs Nurseries new equestrian department this weekend.
The Hickstead Derby-winning rider cut the red ribbon on Saturday (28 March) marking the launch of the department in the Sussex-based South Downs. He also greeted fans and drew the raffle in aid of the Macmillan Nurses, which raised about £40.
On Sunday (29 March) local young event rider Gemma Tattersall was at South Downs also signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Representatives from feed companies Allen and Page, Baileys, Molichaff and Badminton were on hand throughout the weekend giving advice to customers.
“We’ve had a really good response to the equestrian department. We are aimed at ‘happy hackers’ — people who want something basic. We’re not a competition shop,” said equestrian manager Carole Holmes.
“People want to enjoy their horses but it can get expensive — so we want to keep supplies at a level people can afford.”
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
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.