42/ OCTOBER 2024 THE RIDER
Funnell sees out season with another major Hickstead title
stead season with a historic fifth win in the Al Shira’aa Derby back in June, William Funnell scored another major win at the showground on the final day of the All England September Tour (Sunday 8 September). Riding the Billy Stud’s 12-
After starting the Hick-
year-old mare Billy Picador, William Funnell took the top spot in the All England Grand Prix. The class had been moved to the all-weather Equine Amer- ica Ring Three after heavy rain made conditions too difficult in the International Arena, with the course having had to be re- designed overnight by course de- signer Ben Townley following the decision to switch rings. Only nine of the 44 starters
in the Grand Prix produced clears in the first round. 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
Continued from Page 41
USHJA National Hunter Derby Hunter competitors re-
turned for the first week of the Tournament of Champions at Flintfields Horse Park for their weekly feature class, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Held in a Hunt-and-Go format, riders had one chance to claim the prize, with one course con- taining both the classic and handy phases. Holding the top scores over
both phases was Hillary Johnson of Lowell, MI, and Blue Monday, owned by Stephanie Battershall. The pair held the score to beat earlier in the class, earning an 89 in the classic phase and a 90 in the handy phase for a winning total of 179. Living a casual lifestyle,
the 12-year-old Holsteiner geld- ing, has become a master of the hunter derby. “We’ve had him in the barn now for a couple of years,” said Johnson. “He is owned by an adult that doesn’t show him so he spends his week doing lessons with her every af- ternoon and then we pull him out
on Sundays for the derbies to keep him showing and keep him having some fun. He loves it. “He walks in the show ring
and thinks it’s fun. He is very brave, quite handy, and he’s got a great jump. I could just always count on him to walk in there.” For the win, Blue Monday
was presented with the Platinum Performance Horse of the Week Award. Following on the podium
was junior rider from Wellington, FL, Olivia Sweetnam and Ustica, owned by Sweet Oak Farm. The pair followed just a half point be- hind, earning an 88 in the classic phase and a 90.5 in the handy for a 178.5 total. Closing out the podium was Natalie Jayne, of Elgin, IL, and Starstruck, owned by Ashleen Lee, finishing on a 178 after earning a 90 in the clas- sic phase and an 88 in the handy. As for Blue Monday’s fu-
ture fall season, Johnson will plan on pulling him out for his regular Sunday best over the next few weeks at the Traverse City Tournament of Champions.
William Funnell and Billy Picador winning the All England Grand Prix. (c) Boots and Hooves Photography
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 the 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 Alexan-
der 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 fantas- tic feeling today,” said Alexan- der 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 Champi- onship, which was won by Jodi Louise Randall and Heralda. On Saturday, the feature
class was the Douglas Bunn 1.35m Challenge, held in mem- ory 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 pro-
Fruitkorf Z is owned by Old Lodge and was produced by Steven Franks, with Shane tak- ing on the ride a few weeks ago. “I think he’s an extremely scopey and careful, and has seri- ous potential to be a big Grand Prix jumper,” says Shane. Jicarla T, who is also
duced the only other clear round in a time of 101.83 to take run- ner-up spot with Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill. Another rider to have a
winning double was Shane Breen, who won both the All England Seven Year Old Cham- pionship with Super Gold Van De Fruitkorf Z and the All Eng- land 1.30m Open Championship with Jicarla T.
Super Gold Van De
owned by Old Lodge, is nor- mally ridden by Shane’s brother Trevor, who has been off for months after a serious spinal in- jury. “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,” added Shane.
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.
Update: World Equestrian Center
Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) announces that the 2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series will now take place from January 1 to March 23, 2025. This highly anticipated series offers a full winter circuit of world-class hunter/jumper compe- tition, sanctioned by US Equestrian (USEF) and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). In addition, two weeks of USEF-rated competition will be added from March 26 to April 6, 2025, pending approval.
2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series Dates:
Winter Spectacular I, 1/1-1/5: Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper/World Champion Hunter Rider Week
Winter Spectacular II, 1/7-1/12: CSI3*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular III, 1/14 - 1/19: CSI4*, CSI2*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular IV, 1/21 - 1/26: CSI3*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular V, 1/28 - 2/2: CSI4*, CSI2*/Premier Hunter/Level
Jumper/World Champion Hunter Rider Week
Winter Spectacular VI, 2/4 - 2/9: CSI4*, CSI2*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper – Premier Equitation Cup Championship on
6
– Ocala 2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series Dates February 8, 2025
Winter Spectacular VII, 2/11 - 2/16: CSI5*-W /Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular VIII, 2/18 - 2/23: CSI4*, CSI2*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular IX, 2/25 - 3/2: CSI4*, CSI2*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular X, 3/4 - 3/9: CSI3*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular XI, 3/12 - 3/16: Pre- mier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
Winter Spectacular XII, 3/18 - 3/23: CSIO5* Longines League of Nations™, CSI2*/Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper
2025 WEC – Ocala Spring Series Dates:
WEC Ocala Spring I, 3/26-3/30: Regional Hunter/Level 3 Jumper, pending approval*
WEC Ocala Spring II, 4/2-4/6: Regional Hunter/Level 3 Jumper, pending approval*
to an exciting 14-week season, featuring more international competition than ever be-
*WEC Ocala Spring I and II are pending ap- proval. Exhibitors and fans can look forward
soon.
Office at 352-414-7883 or email
ocalashowoffice@wec.net. Prize list and entries will be available
About World Equestrian Center Named one of TIME’s 2024 World’s
good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unpar- alleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction. Learn more at
wec.net.
state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abun- dance of lodging options and luxury accom- modations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property. Dedicated to offering great sport and
Hillary Johnson and Blue Monday. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography
Follow us on X, Bluesky & Threads • Like us on Facebook
Greatest Places, World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multi- disciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio. These exclusive facilities comprise
fore. New for 2025, WEC – Ocala will host a five-star Longines FEI World Cup™ Qual- ifier from February 11-16. The second leg of the Longines League of Nations™ will re- turn on March 18-23. Additionally, the WEC Stadium will host World Champion Hunter Riders on Weeks I and V, January 1-5 and January 28-February 2, 2025. For questions, contact the Ocala Show
Emma Catherine Reichow stands for presentation with Cicenta Z. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography
Sorcha Gamble won the
The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park in Traverse City is presented with $3,195 from ticket-sale proceeds: Pictured left to right, Gary Howe, Jessica Rohloff, Maria Tucker, Matthew Ross, Rhonda Estes and Jaidyn Bozyk. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography
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