William Funnell marks his return to competition with a win in the feature Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi
Wednesday 21 January 2026
William Funnell claimed the feature Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi at the FBMA International in the United Arab Emirates with Equine America Billy Picador.
“This was only our second show for three months and she seems in good form, and it was nice to miss the bad weather [in England],” said William.
Twenty-eight riders started over the 1.45m course in the 2* Grand Prix, but technicalities in the challenging track meant clear rounds were scarce. Two competitors frustratingly picked up time faults only, leaving William to post the sole clear round in the first round.
“The course was complicated – the time was tight, there were a lot of tough lines and there were several less experienced partnerships [competing],” said William, who commandingly claimed victory without the need of a jump-off on the 14-year-old Equine America Billy Picador (Billy Mexico x Animo).
His vast experienced underscored the win with the fastest time in the initial round, almost four seconds inside the time.
This was also William’s second show in three months. He last competed in Oliva Nova, Spain, in October.
“I’ve been busy training the lads [UAE’s Nations Cup team and the Al Shira’aa team] and it was good for both of us to get in the ring. I’ll be 60 years old in a minute and it’s quite easy to get ring rusty. Picador was placed every day in the five-star here last week, and I thought it would do her good to jump at another show this week. I just have two horses here, Picador and an eight-year-old, and it was good to focus on riding,” added William, UAE’s showjumping manager/trainer.
“Now we have the Al Shira’aa [CSI4*-W] show this coming week and upcoming Nations Cup competitions for the UAE Team.”
Polly Gredley lands a stunning hat-trick in week one at the Spring MET in Oliva Nova with the on-form Catoki
An on-form Polly Gredley made the first week of 2026 Spring Mediterranean Equestrian Tour a memorable one, scoring a well-deserved hattrick in Oliva Nova, Spain, with Catoki, and concluded with a Grand Prix win.
The pair started off the week with victory in the Bronze 1.35m speed by 0.40 seconds and followed it up with a win in the Bronze 1.40m speed, outpacing 20 rivals with 0.32 seconds in hand. They saved the best until last, emerging triumphant in the Trofeo Karel Cox Leasing Bronze Final.
Thirty-five contended the 1.40m track but such was the quality here, 17 posted initial clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. Drawn in the first half of the jump-off, Polly maintained her form and pace with Unex Competition Yard’s 14-year-old Catoki (Kannan x Experio) to snatch victory with 0.42 seconds to spare.
Phillip Spivey guided NBE Jenny Don’t Be Hasty into third in the early 15-strong Gold 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier, Sarah Hancock’s 11-year-old mare jumping an easy clear to finish almost eight seconds behind the winner, Belgium’s Mathieu Guery on Indigo over the 12-fence speed track.
Ben Maher and Amanda Derbyshire are in the money in The USA
Across the pond over in The USA, Ben Maher claimed two podium places with Jane Forbes Clark’s Ginger-Blue at Wellington International.
After claiming second place in an early Dodd Technologies 1.45m speed 1.18 seconds off the winning time set by Colombia’s Mark Bluman on Phelina De Septon, Ben and the Plot Blue x Royal Bravour 15-year-old Ginger-Blue jumped into third in the $32,000 Hermes 1.50m Classic. Twelve of the original 26 returned for round two against the clock with Ben and Ginger-Blue jumping another clear to finish third 1.46 seconds off the pace.
Amanda Derbyshire is back in the saddle following the birth of her son Max James Blake in November and finished third in the $65,000 2* Grand Prix in Ocala with new ride Dalicia Devine Z. Only four of the original 45 starters returned for the jump-off, Amanda and Pine Hollow Farm’s 10-year-old mare Diamant De Semilly x Levisto Z) coming home on four faults second time out to take third spot.
Amanda picked up third in the 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier with Cornwall BH. Nine from the entry of 52 contended the jump-off, the Holsteiner 18-year-old ‘Wally’ finishing a little over two seconds behind the winner, Ireland’s Francis Derwin with Gospel Tame. The pair finished sixth in the 2* Grand Prix on one time fault in round one.
“It’s a great first week back,” said Amanda.
Image: Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy
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