Bramham, W Yorks
PIPPA FUNNELL scored her fourth Bramham win, 31 years after her first, when she took the CCI4*-L on an exciting new ride, MCS Maverick.
“I can’t tell you how special winning a big one is when you get to my stage. You think you’re past all that,” said Pippa, 54, adding the one thing she wishes she’d done earlier in her career is go to the gym – she now works with a personal trainer every week.
The rider started the event saying she was on a fact-finding mission to learn more about Sarah Ross’s 10-year-old Mill Law son, MCS Maverick.
Second after dressage on 29.3, she added just 1.2 crosscountry time-faults, saying after her showjumping clear: “I feel a bit of a fraud the way I’ve come in here saying I don’t know how he’s going to be, but I genuinely didn’t know. I’ve had fantastic spins on him the runs I’ve had, but I’ve not run him competitively.
“He was absolutely super – really class. If I can strengthen him up and he improves from this point, then I’m really excited,” she added.
MCS Maverick was produced by Helen Wilson, who also rides for the Funnells’ Billy Stud, and Pippa has followed his career since seeing him cross-country schooling as a youngster.
She explained: “Helen said to sit on him out of interest a couple of years ago and I did. I liked him, but he’s just quite hot. Last year Helen had ups and downs and I think found it fairly difficult because the horse was kept at the owner’s and so she couldn’t ride him really regularly. Between them they mutually decided to see if I would give it a go.
Denne historien er fra June 15, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 15, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
