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Pippa Funnell MBE

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 Pippa Funnell MBE

For me one of my stand out moments for Badminton 2024 was when Emily Gibson my long standing Head girl won the Stable Managers Grooms Award.  Head girl is the wrong word because she is so much more than that, as is Lily Wilson. One is my left hand and one is my right.  I literally couldn’t function without them.

These two girls having been with me for over six years are out and out stars.  Their care, love, dedication to my horses is quite outstanding.
They have become very special to me.  How they cope with me I really don’t know.  My way  with how I deal with the horses must be so challenging for them.   I’m often having to change my mind on things due to the way the horses are feeling, thinking and reacting to situations.  This weekend was one of the most challenging examples of that. I will write about that in another news story if people are interested.
As riders we get so wrapped up in our own feeling of nerves and anxiety that we loose focus on what our poor grooms must go through, particularly on cross country day. Watching their beloved steeds tackle the demands of the course just praying above all else that they come back safe and happy.
They really are the unsung heroes and they deserve every bit of recognition they get and more.



A true team effort. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/ao62SyJdPzKfo8iA/?mibextid=WC7FNe



A disappointing start for me at Badminton.  See my interview with Horse and Hound. 

Maybach

Emily has been with me for 4 years.   She is absolutely at the top of her game.  
The love, care and attention she gives the horses is second to none.  She always turns them out immaculately.  
She is everything you look for in a top groom.
She knows me very well now, it makes my job so much easier, she thinks how I think .  She is ready to swap a bit two minutes before I do a dressage test or hold a horse while I make a last minute dash to the loo.
She is a star!!



02. Emily Gibson

Jimmy waiting to be worked at Bicton with Emily

It was a wonderful week for Pippa at the Chedington Bicton Five Star this week, with both of her bay geldings finishing in the top 5.

Having finished the overnight leader in the dressage on Friday with Billy Walk On, Pippa was also sitting in 7th place with Majas Hope.

On Saturday, both of the strapping bay geldings jumped excellent clear rounds cross country, coming home with minor time faults.

Billy Walk On jumped an impeccable clear round in the final day's showjumping, to finish 2nd overall, with Majas Hope finishing in 5th place, having had one unfortunate rail.

About her horses Pippa said:

"Wow!! What a week. My wonderful boys gave me their all, so so thrilled with them both, they continue to make me want to continue.
Ever grateful to their owners Nick and Barbara Walkinshaw and Marek Sebastak for entrusting me with these wonderful horses, to my sponsors Toggi, Champion Equestrian Wear, Devoucoux, SsangYongGB, Horseware, Kentucky Horsewear, Sergio Grasso, SSG Gloves, Allen & Page Horse Feeds, Elevator Equestrian, and Jump 4 Joy for their on going support.
Emily Gibson as ever excelled in her devotion to the boys and not forgetting my girls keeping things going at home you are the 🌟🌟🌟".

The highly regarded event at Bicton was put together with just 11 weeks notice.

Pippa credited the organisers by saying:

"To me this event epitomised British Eventing. Fantastic sport, fabulous atmosphere, everyone working together, tears, laughter, nerves, a lot of sweat both human and equine. Being with great mates all with the same passion.
The only thing missing for me was mum who was unable to come, my first 5 star without her😢 and I so missed having her on site. (No one to clean my boots)
Thank you William Carey Photography, British Eventing Official, Tim Wilkinson and Emma Clarke for the images."

Billy Walk On and Majas Hope shine at the Chedington Bicton Five Star

Pippa and Mayas Hope third at the RI Eventers Challenge

Demo

“I have been incredibly lucky to have been supported by Allen & Page from the very start of my eventing career, so they have fed every horse that I have ever competed.” - Pippa Funnell



Allen & Page was first established as a limited company in 1936 and now has four generations of experience in producing quality horse feed, helping to build the business into the major national feed producer it is today. Although, the Page family had been producing and selling horse feeds for many years before that.

Originally based at the mill at Quayside, Norwich, Allen and Page quickly became renowned across East Anglia for the high quality feed produced.
The ability to be innovative and continually improve has always been something that is valued  at Allen & Page, as a part of that process they made the decision to move the business to its current state of the art mill in Shipdham, Norfolk. 

The new mill has provided them with the technology to produce our feeds, with precision feed blending and in an environmentally friendly way.
More than two decades ago they gained the accreditation of major food production and quality control bodies, including the Vegetarian Society, Soil Association (Organic) and ISO organisations.

This set a standard for them to continue working closely to ensuring the highest quality feed is always produced.

In 2009, Allen & Page was delighted to receive a Royal Warrant from HRH The Prince of Wales.
Looking to the future, they are always investigating new ways to improve and innovate; drawing on the experience and knowledge gained from almost a century of making horse feed.

Allen and Page Horse Feeds

Billy Stud

Champion - Built to perfection, tested to destruction, chosen by Champions. 

Visit www.championhats.co.uk to see why their reputation is built on safety.

Champion Equestrian Wear

As well as saddles for all disciplines, Devoucoux have a selection of luxury accessories available.

Often seen at numerous BE events throughout the season both competing and meeting clients. 



Devoucoux

Eco Voltz

Elevator started with the revolutionary bridle and many say that the simple ideas are the best ideas

Elevator Bridles

Our range of pioneered and specially tailored supplements are designed to achieve optimum equine, pet and human health and performance.

Equine America

The makers of Rambo, Rhino and Amigo horse rugs, Horseware clothing, Ice-Vibe massage therapy boots and rugs and Rambo Micklem bridles.

Horseware Ireland

Jump 4 Joy

Kentucky Horsewear is an Animal Friendly Brand, providing Stylish and Technical Horse Equipment.
Kentucky Horsewear was established back in August 2010, yet it is rapidly becoming the ‘must have’ brand, for protective horse boots across all disciplines. With a growing band of top international riders riding, training and competing in the boots. The company already sells its collection throughout Europe, the USA and Australia.
The name is a licence of the famous German clothing brand Kentucky Reitmoden established in 1961. Both companies are run separately and only share the same brand name/logo and distribution network worldwide. The Kentucky Horsewear offices are based in Belgium, under young entrepreneur, Kentucky Horsewear owner and MD Thomas Tuytens’ watchful eye

Kentucky Horsewear

Sergio Grasso

SSG® Gloves strikes the perfect balance of sophistication and function. High-quality natural materials and luxuriously style make for a glove designed like no other.

Giving confidence and comfort in competition or when you’re just having fun, SSG® can fill whatever equestrian need.
From hunter/jumper, race riding and driving styles, dressage, carriage driving, western riding and show and roping, pleasure riding, eventing and polo styles, SSG® provides the most complete equestrian glove line on the market today.

02. Emily Gibson

Head Girl / travelling groom,

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