| Nicknames |
Pip (Facebook profile, 11 Feb 2023) |
| Hero / Idol |
New Zealand eventer Mark Todd. (NOC, 11 Jul 2000) |
| Injuries |
In April 2017 she spent a night in hospital after falling and sustaining a concussion at the 2017 CCI3* event in Ballindenisk, Ireland. (horseandhound.co.uk, 24 Apr 2017)
She suffered whiplash and bruised nerve endings in both arms after a fall from her horse Sandman 7 in May 2016. She spent three days in hospital and returned to the saddle two weeks later. (horseandhound.co.uk, 27 May 2016)
She injured ribs and had to miss several events after falling in August 2012. (horseandcountry.tv, 07 Sep 2012) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Don't worry about the things you can't control, work on what you're capable of controlling." (yourhorse.co.uk, 20 Feb 2021) |
| Awards and honours |
She was named the BT Sport Action Woman of the Year for 2019. (britishshowjumping.co.uk, 10 Dec 2019; horseandhound.co.uk, 10 Dec 2019)
She and her husband William Funnell are the first husband and wife team to be inducted into the British Horse Society Hall of Fame. She was inducted in 2005, while William became a member in 2014. (horseandcountry.tv, 08 Dec 2014)
She was named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] in 2006. (mtc-uk.com, 12 Aug 2010)
She won the 2003 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award. (mtc-uk.com, 12 Aug 2010)
She has been named the BBC South Sports Personality of the Year. (thebillystud.co.uk, 02 Aug 2011) |
| Other sports |
She has competed in equestrian jumping at an elite level. (badminton-horse.co.uk, 18 Apr 2017) |
| Famous relatives |
Her husband William was part of the British equestrian jumping squad that won team gold at the 2013 European Championships in Herning, Denmark, and also competed at the 2018 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Tryon, NC, United States of America. (SportsDeskOnline, 30 Dec 2021; horsetalk.co.nz, 15 Feb 2021; thebillystud.co.uk, 24 Mar 2015) |
| Other information |
STABLES
She runs the Billy Stud alongside her husband William and horse breeder Donal Barnwell in England. The stud has two facilities in Surrey. (Facebook page, 10 Mar 2023; thebillystud.co.uk, 15 Feb 2023; Twitter profile, 28 Jul 2018)
CHANGE OF PLANS
She had considered retiring from the sport but changed her mind after winning the 2019 Burghley Horse Trials in England. "When you are older, you don't think you will get these opportunities to shine again. But what has touched me most about this win is the huge effect it seems to have had on people. The amount of messages I have received has been overwhelming. I think people were not just thrilled for me - it was that I was someone they could relate to. I hope it has made people think that they are not too old to keep pursuing their dreams." (telegraph.co.uk, 19 Sep 2019)
OLYMPIC RETURN IN RIO
After winning team and individual medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, she was hoping to make the Great Britain team for the 2012 Games in London. However, two of her top horses [Redesigned and Billy Shannon] were injured in the lead-up to the Games, forcing her to withdraw from the selection process. Four years later she was initially named a travelling reserve for the British team ahead of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, before being called up after Izzy Taylor's horse Allercombe Ellie sustained an injury. "When I got the call-up, I was devastated for Izzy - really shattered - and she was the first person I rang. She is such a talented rider." (theguardian.com, 05 Aug 2016; skysports.com, 13 Apr 2012)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Her book 'Pippa Funnell: The Autobiography' was published in 2004, and she has launched a series of children's fiction books called 'Tilly's Pony Tails'. She has also been a patron of World Horse Welfare, has featured in video games, and has worked as a commentator on British radio. In June 2020 she teamed up with World Horse Welfare to make a series of fortnightly online webinars focusing on horse care. (thescottishfarmer.co.uk, 16 Jun 2020; Facebook page, 10 Jul 2017; horsetalk.co.nz, 26 Dec 2015; tillysponytails.co.uk, 02 Aug 2011; pippafunnellgame.com, 12 Aug 2010; amazon.co.uk, 2004) |
| Milestones |
In 2003 she became the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing after victories at the Burghley Horse Trials, Kentucky Three-Day Event and Badminton Horse Trials in the same year. (britishequestrian.org.uk, 08 Sep 2019; horseandhound.co.uk, 07 Oct 2018; thebillystud.co.uk, 24 Mar 2015)
She became the first rider to win two titles at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in England when she triumphed in 1995. She was also the first rider to win three and four titles at the event with her victories in 2003 and 2004. (bpiht.co.uk, 18 Sep 2021) |
FEI Database
www.thebillystud.co.uk 
www.facebook.com/Pippa-Funnell-460147230694995 
twitter.com/TheBillyStud 
instagram.com/pippa.funnell 
