FUNNELL LANDS HICKSTEAD DERBY HATTRICK

William Funnell from Dorking in Surrey rode into the history books in this afternoon’s £120,000 DFS Hickstead Derby winning the coveted title for an amazing third time, with his trusty partner, Julie Slade’s Mondriaan.

 

Last to go and knowing that a clear round would take the title, Will and the now fifteen year-old Dutch bred gelding took the historical sixteen fence course in their stride, making fences that stopped many of the favourites in their tracks, look easy.

 

Will and Mondriaan have now secured their place in the Hickstead history books winning the world famous Derby in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

 

Will sporting a grin from ear to ear commented after his victory:

 

“Mondriaan has been aimed at this competition all year and it’s fantastic when all the hard work and preparation pays off”.

 

In a very poignant Derby  that saw all riders competing in black armbands in memory of the late Douglas Bunn, Great Britain’s Guy Williams and William Whitaker shared second place, both lowering a single fence, to finish their rounds on four faults.  Brits also filled the next three places;  Tina Fletcher, Ben Maher and Robert Smith all finishing on eight faults.

 

1^st           William Funnell GBR Mondriaan – 0 Faults

=2^nd        Guy Williams GBR Skip Two Ramiro – 4 faults

=2^nd        William Whitaker GBR Animation II (British-Bred) – 4 faults

=4^th        Tina Fletcher GBR Promised Land – 8 faults

=4^th        Ben Maher GBR Quainton Quirifino Z – 8 faults

=4^th        Robert Smith GBR Vangelis S – 8 faults

 

Full results can be viewed at www.hickstead.co.uk