Funnell sees out season with another major Hickstead title

After starting the Hickstead season with a historic fifth win in the Al Shira’aa Derby, William Funnell scored another major win at the showground on the final day of the All England September Tour.

Riding the Billy Stud’s 12-year-old mare Billy Picador, William Funnell took the top spot in the All England Grand Prix, which was moved to the all-weather Equine America Ring Three after heavy rain made conditions too difficult in the International Arena.

Only nine of the 44 starters in the feature Grand Prix produced clears in the first round, with the course having had to be redesigned overnight by course designer Ben Townley following the decision to switch rings. William made the most of his penultimate draw in the jump-off to finish in a time of 41.43sec, nearly two seconds quicker than Alexander McLean and Calcord II (43.29sec).

“It’s been a busy weekend as I’ve been at Burghley with my wife, Pippa, and drove back late last night,” said William, who had jumped at Hickstead earlier in the week in order to qualify for today’s final. “She jumped a lovely first round and was very good to me in the jump-off. She’s a quick mare anyway and I didn’t need to take as much risk to the final fence but she got her backend out of the way – it was a good day,” he added.

Scottish rising star Alexander McLean might have missed out on the top spot in the biggest class of the show, but he did have some consolation in the form of a double of wins on the final day. Not only did he win the Stoner Jewellers All England 1.20m Open Championship with Cumano Yeats, he also scored a one-two finish in the All England Novice Championship, winning with Cumano Yeats again and coming runner-up with Jip B, both owned by Matthew Pike.

“We’ve only had him less than two weeks but he’s really game and fun, and gave a fantastic feeling today,” said Alexander of the 11-year-old grey gelding. “He came out full of beans for the second class – I’m delighted with him.”

The All England 1.30m Open Classic went to Christina Gachoud and Balento CS, while the final class of the day was The All England 1m Open Championship, which was won by Jodi Louise Randall and Heralda.

On Saturday, the feature class was the Douglas Bunn 1.35m Challenge, held in memory of the founder of the All England Jumping Course, and featuring many of the fences in the Al Shira’aa Derby set at a lower height. It was won for the second time by Abi Walters and Renkum Miretta, who became the first combination to win this class twice.

”She gave me a great spin today, she won this class two years ago so she knows the jumps and I was pretty confident going in,” said Abi, who crossed the finish in a time of 96.27sec, with no jumping penalties.

Joseph Trunkfield produced the only other clear round in a time of 101.83 to take runner-up spot with Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill.

Another rider to have a winning double this weekend was Shane Breen, who won both the All England Seven Year Old Championship with Super Gold Van De Fruitkorf Z and the All England 1.30m Open Championship with Jicarla T.

Super Gold Van De Fruitkorf Z is owned by Old Lodge and was produced by Steven Franks, with Shane taking on the ride a few weeks ago. “I think he’s an extremely scopey and careful, and has serious potential to be a big Grand Prix jumper,” says Shane.

Jicarla T, who is also owned by Old Lodge, is normally ridden by Shane’s brother Trevor, who has been off for months after a serious spinal injury. “It’s possibly the last time I’ll ride her as Trevor is back in the saddle, so it’s nice to finish on a high with a win.”

Sorcha Gamble won the All England 1.10m Amateur Championship with RS My Sina VD Kalevallei, while the 1.20m Amateur Final went to Josh Kindell and Calanthe–Slot.

For all the results from the All England September Tour, click here.