William Funnell

{{Short description|British showjumper (born 1966)}} {{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}} }} thumb|200px|William Funnell with Billy Birr, Grand Prix of Eindhoven, Internationaal Concours Hippique Eindhoven (CSI 3*) 2008 thumbnail|William Funnell with Billy Angelo at Internationales Pfingstturnier Wiesbaden 2013 '''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.<ref>[http://old.fei.org/biographies/browse/detail.htm?sub=biographies&active=biographies1&rider_id=10000462&discipline=Jumping short rider biography: William Funnell]</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He also won the famous derby of La Baule in France in May 2011.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Personal life== Funnell is married to eventer Pippa Funnell. He married her in October 1993 in Uckfield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nicomorgan.com/riders/pippa-funnell-majas-hope/|title=Pippa Funnell|website=nicomorgan.com}}</ref> They live in Ockley in south Surrey where they have a stud farm to breed horses.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== External links and references == {{commons category}} * [http://www.williamfunnell.co.uk His website] {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Funnell, William}} Category:English male equestrians Category:British show jumping riders Category:Sportspeople from Ashford, Kent Category:1966 births Category:Living people