Your Horse recently interviewed one of the most popular winners of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials of recent times, Pippa Funnell, to discover more about the struggle behind 2019’s extraordinary victory.
In the full interview she shares the highs and lows of her eventing journey, including recovering after injuries and battling self-doubt. Grab the Spring copy of the magazine for the full read.
In the meantime, here are five facts you may not have known about this inspirational eventer:
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During an extraordinary purple patch in the early 2000s, the former European Young Rider Champion became the first eventer ever to win the lucrative Rolex Grand Slam of eventing.
She also won back-to-back European Championship titles and consecutive Badminton trophies among numerous other victories.
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She was made an MBE for services to equestrian sport in 2005.
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She does 30 minutes of Pilates most mornings before leaving the house. “I do it because I want to give my horses the best chance I can.”
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Pippa is a mentor and trainer to the Windrush Equestrian Foundation, set up to fill in the missing gap for talented young event riders aged 21-25.
It was a legacy left by Sir Roger Moore’s stepdaughter Christina Knudsen who had a passion for the sport and wanted to help young riders after her premature death aged 47.
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Pippa used to be a chocolate and biscuit fiend. Now Ash Wallace has educated her about the benefits of healthy eating. “When you’re doing horses it’s easy not to eat and then pick. But I’ve got sensible with grazing and I’ll eat nuts and raisins rather than chocolate and biscuits, and I keep fruit in the tack room.”
Don’t miss the latest issue of Your Horse Magazine, jam-packed with training and veterinary advice, horse-care tips and the latest equestrian products available on shop shelves, on sale now.
