Pippa Funnell

Pippa Funnell, born Philippa Rachel Nolan on October 7, 1968, in Crowborough, East Sussex, developed an early passion for equestrian sport. She attended Mark Cross CE primary school and Wadhurst College. At the age of 16, Funnell left school to pursue her equestrian career, training with Ruth McMullen. Her early career saw her become the European Young Rider Champion in 1987, successfully competing on Sir Barnaby at Bialy Bor, Poland.

Funnell became European Champion at Luhmühlen in 1999 and again in 2001, both times riding Supreme Rock. She was a key member of British teams, winning silver at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and bronze at the World Equestrian Games in 2002 with Supreme Rock. In 2004, at the Athens Olympics, she secured team silver with Primmore’s Pride and an individual bronze medal. Her most notable achievement came in 2003 when she became the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, achieving consecutive victories at Rolex Kentucky, Badminton, and Burghley. The Kentucky and Burghley wins were with Primmore’s Pride, while the Badminton victory was on Supreme Rock. This accomplishment led to her being voted Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year 2003 and a top-five finisher in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Throughout her career, Funnell has won the Badminton Horse Trials three times (2002, 2003, 2005) and both the Blenheim and Windsor Horse Trials four times. Her horses, such as Primmore’s Pride, have also achieved significant milestones, with Primmore’s Pride becoming the first horse to win its own Grand Slam by clinching the Kentucky and Burghley titles in 2003 and Badminton in 2005. Funnell continues to compete at the highest level, including participation in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics where she finished fifth with the British team. She also won the 2019 Burghley Horse Trials riding MGH Grafton Street. In addition to her riding career, Funnell is a published author, with an autobiography, a training book, and a series of children’s books titled ‘Pippa’s Pony Tales’. She was appointed an MBE in 2005 for her services to equestrian sport and is a patron of World Horse Welfare and a mentor for the Wesko Equestrian Foundation.