Pippa Funnell riding Billy Balou at HOYS. (Photo by Mike Webster)
PIPPA Funnell and Billy Balou triumphed in the EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers at Horse of the Year Show to give the well known event rider her first ever win at the prestigious show.
From 23 starters, seven made it through to the jump-off with Pippa drawn first on the talented bay gelding owned by Carol Toliver.
With a determined ride, Pippa cut every corner to perfection to cross the finish line in 43.61 seconds on the six-year-old Billy Balou. Paving the way, Pippa stopped the clock nearly three seconds ahead of her nearest rival, Lola Wade and Zorro, owned by David Jackson.
A former rosette girl at the Horse of the Year Show for many years, Pippa couldn’t believe she was now receiving a winning one: “All those years ago when I worked at HOYS handing out rosettes I never thought I would be receiving a winner’s one,” said Pippa.
Lorraine Meadowcroft (left) and Katie Farmer (right) of EquestrianClearance.com present Pippa with the top prize. (Photo by Mike Webster)
After a hectic autumn on the eventing circuit Pippa added: “I amost got William to ride Billy Balou here as I have been so busy eventing and haven’t had a chance to get him indoors.”
The prestigious EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers Championship saw Harriet Nuttall and her father’s A Touch of Imperious taking third place on the seven-year-old chestnut gelding.
With just three going clear in the second round, the Pavitt sisters Nicole and Louise, well known for their speed against the clock put in fast rounds on Festiena van Texelhof and Lupicos however poles fell leaving them in fourth and sixth places respectively while Steven Franks and Pacome du Bois Mesnil took fifth.
