Pippa Funnell (GBR)

Pippa Funnell is the first woman to have become world number one in eventing, a feat she achieved in 2003 after becoming the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which crowns victories, in the same year, in the four-star three-day events at Lexington, Badminton and Burghley.

She has ridden for Great Britain for over 20 years and has won medals at all levels. She was awarded the European Young Rider title in 1987. Twelve years later, she won the FEI European Championships on Supreme Rock, a performance she repeated in 2001.

Pippa Funnell has also won Badminton three times, twice on Supreme Rock (2002 and 2003) and then in 2005 on Primmore’s Pride. She also earned a team bronze medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez in 2002 on Supreme Rock, and an individual bronze medal as well as  team silver at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, again on Primmore’s Pride.

Pippa Funnell, who in 2005 was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II, is married to international jumper William Funnell.