Townend in contention to replace unlucky Funnell at the Olympics

Two of her top horses, Redesigned and Billy Shannon, have both suffered injuries which mean they have had to be sidelined so far as selection is concerned.

“I am, of course, devastated that I will not have a horse for London 2012,” said Funnell.

“Winning a medal at London would have been the pinnacle of my career. I also feel so disappointed and upset for my loyal owners and hard-working grooms and other support staff – London was their dream, too.

“Disappointment is part and parcel of equine sport, perhaps that is why the successes are so sweet. I wish all the British riders the best of luck and hope they bring home a bucketful of medals.”

Funnell is a popular rider at Bramham International Horse Trials, which she won in 2010 riding Redesigned, her third win at this event.

She had been hoping to gain a place in the five-strong British eventing team for this summer’s Olympics.

William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Piggy French and Yorkshire’s Nicola Wilson are expected to be selected, barring any setbacks.

Those in the running for the fifth place include Huddersfield’s Oliver Townend, Tina Cook, Laura Collett, Lucy Wiegersma and possibly Zara Phillips.

“It is disappointing we will not have a rider of Pippa’s calibre contending selection for London,” said Yogi Breisner, British eventing’s performance manager.

“Pippa, supported by her owners, has worked very hard to bring both of these horses up to a standard where they would have been in contention for selection.

“I feel very disappointed for Pippa, who is a professional in all she does. She is a pleasure to work with and a great team member.”

Funnell is based in Surrey where she has built the Billy Stud alongside her husband and show-jumper William Funnell.

She is a former European champion and won team silver and individual bronze as a member of the British eventing team at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

She is also the only British rider to have won the Rolex Grand Slam for consecutive Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky wins.

Oliver Townend had plenty of cause for celebration at the weekend when he dominated the competition at Weston Park Horse Trials in Shropshire. The Yorkshireman, now based in Shropshire, completed the event with three wins and eight top-10 places overall.

Townend had wins in the Novice section with Tis a Beauty and Imperial Lieutenant and also won the Open Intermediate with ODT Ghareeb.

Further placings included third in the Advanced section with ODT Sonas Rovatio.

New Zealander Andrew Nicholson continued his consistent form of late to win the Advanced section J with Quimbo.

Several other British team hopefuls finished in the top 10, including Piggy French with DHI Topper, Kiltealy Brief and new ride Livingstone II, William Fox-Pitt with Bay My Hero and Sea Cookie and Polly Stockton with Regulus.

“We were very pleased with the going and the fabulous weather,” said organiser and course designer Janet Plant.

“There was a fantastic turnout of supporters and spectators this year, more than ever before, which just shows how much people are rooting for the sport and riders in this Olympic year.”

There were congratulations all round for the members of the British pony team at the weekend when they finished second in the showjumping Nations Cup at Fontainebleu in France.

The four riders included 14-year-old Millie Allen, from Stockton-on-Tees, who topped off a very successful weekend by winning the Grand Prix on Sunday against considerable opposition.

Millie, riding her father’s bay mare, Song Girl, produced one of the eight clears in the first round in a field of 50 starters.

A faultless performance in the jump-off put her in first place, almost 1.5 seconds faster than Switzerland’s Vladya Reverdin.

Millie was also the only competitor to produce a double clear round in the Nations Cup as well as in the Grand Prix.

The other team members were Christie Pritchard, 15, from Holyhead; Darby Ward, 16, from Cheshire and Graham Babes, 14, from Ayrshire.

The British Horse Society has added its comments to the many already voiced following the deaths of Synchronised and Yorkshire favourite According to Pete in Saturday’s Grand National.

“We are confident that the racing authorities will investigate these deaths thoroughly with a view to securing any safety improvements which may be necessary,” said Lee Hackett, of the BHS.

“As with all equestrian sports, participation in the Grand National carries risks.

“Where these risks can be reduced they must be and the BHS fully supports the British Horseracing Authority in its work.

“However, we must wait for the outcome of these investigations before we comment on the adequacy of any proposed actions.”

Don’t miss Country Week in Saturday’s Yorkshire Post for more equestrian news and sales.