Pippa Funnell: The Autobiography

(Paperback)

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Pippa Funnell is the golden girl of the British equestrian scene - but it hasn't always been so. She seemed doomed to be a 'misser' in the really big competitions, lacking that special ingredient that makes a true champion. Everything began to change for her in 1999 when her results, including her first European title, were excellent, but it was at the Sydney Olympics that she really came of age, winning a silver medal. Since Sydney, Pippa went from strength to strength. She completed the double of European Championships in 2001, she won Badminton in 2002, and in 2003 won the Rolex Grand Slam and was awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the Sunday Times. In 2004 Pippa was a double Olympic medallist in Athens, and this autobiography includes her Olympic diary, as she records the ups and downs of the competition, the triumph of the dressage, her cross-country round and the showjump down that cost her a gold medal. As if all this were not enough, there was the controversy of the medals being reallocated on appeal, meaning Pippa won both a silver and a bronze.

Reviews

Her story is an object lesson to any youngster, rider or not--Daily Telegraph
She has made the fragilities of her nature into her greatest source of strength. She is an alchemist who has turned self-doubt into victory--Times
She is an authoritative figure on the circuit and an inspiration to young riders--Books Quarterly
The read of the year ... by turns inspiring moving and funny, this book shows that all of Pippa's triumphs have been earned--Eventing Magazine
The text gallops through Funnell's life story with engaging candour--Independent

Author Bio

Pippa Funnell is the first woman to become eventing's world number one. She was born Pippa Nolan in 1968 and, with her first horse, Sir Barnaby, went from pony-club level to Badminton, en route winning the European Young Rider title in 1987. Her numerous victories include back-to-back European Championships in 1991 and 2001, and back-to-back Olympic silver medals in 2000 and 2004. She is the first winner of the Rolex Grand Slam, in 2003, and has won Badminton three times, in 2002, 2003 and 2005. In 2003 she was awarded the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year. In 2005 she was awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours List. Pippa is married to the international show jumper William Funnell and lives in Surrey.