Pippa Funnell Wins BT Sport Action Women 2019
What a year for Pippa Funnell! Last night she was name BT Sport Action Women of the Year 2019. A fantastic achievement that was highly deserved.
Pippa Funnell this year won Burghley Horse Trials 14 years after her last victory at the competition. Pippa led Burghley Horse Trails 2019 from start to finish riding MGH Grafton Street to win Burghley for the first time since completing her Rolex Grand Slam in 2003.
Pippa and team GB also won team silver at the European Championships 2019. Pippa, who is now 50 years old, has been a fantastic competition and real inspiration and support for many riders through out her career.
The BT Sport Action Women of the Year competition is an awards evening hosted live on BT Sport by Clare Balding the shortlist of eight women is voted on by the public. Pippa attended the awards with Jane Clarke – owner of Squirrel, MGH Grafton Street and received her awards from English Rugby Union player, Maro Itoje.
On collecting her awards Pippa said “I’ve had the most amazing career and a long career, but any person’s career over the space of 35 years isn’t just going to be about good days,” she said.
“There have been a lot of tough days, hard days when things don’t go your way or you have injuries.
“I have had very much questioned quite a few times if I carry on in the sport. What’s special is that I know that commitment.
“Back in 2003 I won quite a lot of awards. Of course, I appreciated them all because I was on the crest of a wave back then, but I think because I’ve gone for so long and not had this sort of recognition I think it’s like I’ve been given a second chance to enjoy it all over again.”
The Horse Exchange team can not think of a more worthy winner – Congratulations Pippa Funnell!