Pippa Funnell is a British Olympic rider based near Dorking in Surrey. A former three-time Badminton winner and former European Champion, she last competed at Badminton in 2023.
With Majas Hope and Badminton first-timer MCS Maverick entered last year, she finished sixth at Burghley and eleventh at Pau. Pau marked the first five-star competition for MCS Maverick, following the horse's victory at the Bramham 4*L in 2023. Majas Hope has completed both Badminton and Lexington and helped Pippa secure a European team silver medal in 2019.
Current World Ranking
As of 9 April 2024, Pippa Funnell is ranked number 11 in the FEI world rider rankings.
A Distinguished Eventing Career
Pippa is recognised as one of the world's most successful riders and has been a long-standing member of the British team. In 2019, riding Majas Hope, she was part of the British team that won silver at the European Championships in Luhmühlen, two decades after making her first senior team appearance in 1999.
Her first Badminton appearance came in 1988. In 2003, she made eventing history by becoming the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam through consecutive victories at Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley.
Early Years and Major Honours
After leaving school at the age of 16, Pippa trained with Ruth McMullen. In 1987, she became European Young Rider Champion with Sir Barnaby, the horse that also gave her first Badminton ride the following year.
She won Olympic team silver medals at Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. She also became European Champion in both 1999 and 2001. Following her achievements in 2003, she was named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and finished among the top five in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. In 2005, she was appointed MBE.
Return to Top-Level Competition
During a period away from the spotlight, Pippa helped establish the Billy Stud alongside her husband, international show jumper William Funnell, and breeder Donal Barnwell.
She returned to top-level competition in 2009 by winning Bramham 3* and earning selection for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky with Redesigned, where they finished fifth. In 2013, she returned to the British team for the European Championships with Mirage D'Elle and also won the Tattersalls three-day event with Billy Beware.
In 2015, she won a European team silver medal and finished eighth individually with Sandman 7. The following year, she represented the British team at the Rio Olympic Games riding Billy the Biz.
Producing Young Horses
Pippa is also recognised for producing young horses. She has won a record number of Burghley Young Event Horses classes and now helps produce and compete young show jumpers for the Billy Stud.
She also competes in international showjumping, recording top-ten finishes at the international four-star competition at Hickstead in 2022.
Writing and Other Roles
Alongside her competitive career, Pippa has written and published a series of 22 children's story books. The collection was relaunched under the title Pippa's Pony Tales.
She also serves as a patron of World Horse Welfare and is a mentor and trainer for The Wesko Equestrian Foundation, formerly known as the Windrush Equestrian Foundation.
Pippa trains with her husband William Funnell, Carl Hester and the GB squad trainers.
Competition Horses
Majas Hope is a 17-year-old Irish-bred Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Marek Sebestak and Pippa Funnell. By the thoroughbred Porter Rhodes and out of a mare by Flagmount King, he has been ridden by Pippa since 2015 after previously being produced by former European Junior Champion Anna Wilks. He finished twelfth on his first four-star appearance at Burghley in 2018 and has since completed both Badminton and Lexington.
MCS Maverick is an 11-year-old British-bred SHB(GB) registered gelding bred by M Watson. Sired by the former eventing stallion Mill Law and out of a Dutch-bred mare by Wolfgang, he was initially produced to four-star level by Helen Wilson. Pippa took over the ride at the beginning of 2023, won the Bramham 4*L in June and later completed his first five-star competition at Pau.
Pippa Funnell has built an outstanding eventing career through major championship success, historic achievements and continued involvement in producing talented horses. Her work in competition, training and horse development continues to reflect her lasting contribution to the sport.
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