Performance of the Week: Pippa Funnell
Pippa Funnell was crowned champion at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with her gelding, 11-year-old MGH Grafton Street.
Pippa Funnell, a 50-year-old British rider, claimed a sixth elite five-star victory of a career that also includes two European individual titles, three Olympic medals and eventing’s prestigious Rolex Grand Slam.
Funnell’s last win at Burghley was 16 years ago in 2003 on Primmore’s Pride.
At this year’s event, Funnell led from start to finish across four days of dressage, cross-country and show jumping.
She remained steady in order to edge out her Great Britain team-mates Piggy French and Oliver Townend, claiming a £95,000 top prize in the process. The top three after Saturday’s punishing cross-country phase were separated by just 0.5 penalties before show jumping played out in reverse order.
Townend, the former world No 1 who was seeking a second Burghley crown in three years, had one fence down aboard Ballaghmor Class and had to settle for third.
“It was a very eventful round,” Funnell said. “I think the nerves got to me a little bit.”
Congratulations to Pippa Funnell. Go eventing and go riding!
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