William Funnell

{{About|the British showjumper|the Australian public servant|William Funnell (public servant)}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{Infobox equestrian

| name = William Funnell

| image = Hessischen Ministerpräsidenten William Funnell auf Billy Angelo 1 mk.jpg

| imagesize = 200px

| fullname = William Funnell

| nationality = British

| discipline = Show jumping

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|2|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Ashford, England

| height_ft =

| height_in =

| weight_lb =

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{GBR2}} }}

{{MedalCompetition|European Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2013 Herning|Team jumping}}

}}

File:CSI Eindhoven 2008 - William Funnell Billy Birr.jpg

File:Hessischen Ministerpräsidenten William Funnell auf Billy Angelo 3 mk.jpg

William Ross Norman Funnell (born 10 February 1966 in Ashford) is a top-class showjumper.

Career

Funnell has represented Britain internationally in many Nations Cup teams.[http://old.fei.org/biographies/browse/detail.htm?sub=biographies&active=biographies1&rider_id=10000462&discipline=Jumping short rider biography: William Funnell] In 2006 he won the Hickstead Derby for the first time and won it again two years later in 2008 and again in 2009. In 2018 William became one of 5 riders to win The Hickstead Derby 4 times, joining Harvey Smith, John and Michael Whitaker, and Eddie Macken.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hickstead.co.uk/news/2018/william-funnell-joins-hickstead-record-holders/|title=WILLIAM FUNNELL JOINS HICKSTEAD RECORD HOLDERS|website=Hickstead.co.uk}} He also won the famous derby of La Baule in France in May 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showjumping/william-funnell-wins-derby-class-at-la-baule-307626|title= William Funnell wins Derby class at La Baule|website=Horse & Hound}}

Personal life

Funnell is married to eventer Pippa Funnell. He married her in October 1993 in Uckfield.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nicomorgan.co.uk/riders/pippa-funnell-majas-hope/|title=Pippa Funnell|website=nicomorgan.co.uk}} They live in Ockley in south Surrey where they have a stud farm to breed horses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heelsdownmag.com/how-william-and-pippa-funnell-breed-their-own-future-superstars/|title= How William and Pippa Funnell Breed Their Own Future Superstars|website=heelsdownmag.com}} They became the first husband and wife to be inducted into The British Horse Society Equestrian Hall of Fame when William joined Pippa (2005) in being inducted in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/media/news/british-horse-society-welcomes-new-names-to-equestrian-hall-of-fame|title= British Horse Society welcomes new names to Equestrian Hall of Fame|website=Britishshowjumping.co.uk}}