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Viewings Open for The Billy Stud Elite Auction

William, Lucy & Nick with Billy Seymour

There are only 10 days left to view the Elite young horse collection from The Billy Stud Auction. Viewings have been taking place at the studs Surrey base where current Olympic Champion Nick Skelton was impressed with what was on offer. 

William & Nick watching Billy Tiberius

 

“I’m always keen to source new talent and I know that the way the horses are produced at The Billy Stud enables me to see a true representation of each horse. William has definitely put together his best collection yet and I have my eye on a number of them. All credit to the team there for producing these horses so well.” Nick Skelton

 

 

William & Billy Cromwell

“I’ve been fortunate to have the time at the moment to be very hands on with the production of these horses. I’ve ridden all 3 of the stallions at home and at shows recently. Billy Cromwell (Zinedine x Andiamo) has all the scope of his half brother Billy Diamo and I definitely see him as a future Grand Prix horse. Billy Simba (Emerald x Billy Congo) has so many characteristics of his father Emerald and with the dam side already having produced international horses I see him following their lead. Billy Tiberius (Contendro I x Cevin Z) just keeps getting better and better every week, his attitude for a stallion is unbelievable and I’ve never ridden a young horse with such natural balance.” William Funnell

Although much of this year has seen many competitions being put on hold, The Billy Stud enjoyed a fantastic end to the summer picking up multiple championship titles.

“The National Championships are always hard to win and I was delighted to see Billy Masai and Billy Bakewell become Champion and Reserve Champion in the British National 6 year old Championship this year. Billy Masai (Billy Mexico x Billy Congo) is one of the most consistent 6 year olds I’ve seen for quite some time and even though he had little preparation heading into the championships, he really showed his class. Billy Seymour (Billy Congo x Andiamo) is such an eye catching horse in looks and talent – she created at lot of interest at the Sunshine Tour this year when jumping some great rounds. I rode Billy Bakewell (Billy Um Bongo x Jazz) myself this year on the Sunshine Tour and she impressed me every round. She already has 3 half sibling competing at 1.50m level and I see her doing the same. Another mare to lift a title this summer has been Billy Vitani (Tangelo x Billy Congo). Vitani has progressed quickly over recent months since competition restrictions have been lifted. She is careful and competitive and showed real potential when winning the Novice Championship at Hickstead last month. We recently sold Billy Vitani’s full sister Billy Sarafina who qualified for the World Young Horse Championships in 2019 and I believe will be a top Grand Prix horse” William Funnell

 

Billy Shenzi impressing Nick Skelton!

 

Since being established 26 years ago, The Billy Stud has seen its reputation grow and many clients return year after year. Trusting the breeding programme that is used to produce top horses for the future.

 “One of our clients bought Billy Nala last year and she has been very successful. I was really impressed with her daughter Billy Shenzi (Tangelo x Billy Mexico), she is blood and super careful just like her mother. Her technique is fantastic! ” Nick Skelton

 

William & Billy Brisk

 

“Billy Brisk (Billy Congo x Luidam) is a mare I have really enjoyed riding at home. She is scopey and careful and has a fantastic attitude. She finds everything very easy, she has everything you could want for a top horse. Another mare I see with a big future is Billy Jig (Cevin Z x Billy Congo). She comes from the family that gave us Billy Dorito and Billy Marmite, she definitely has the same family attributes that gave them such success. The 5 year old Billy Franklin (Cevin Z x Riesling du Monselet) has always impressed me, she has a great attitude and a really great way of doing things. I think a good attitude is so important when it comes to producing horses and this mare has one of the best. Billy Eldorado (Billy Mexico x Billy Congo) is from a family of big jumping horses, he certainly has that scope and for a big horse he’s quick and agile.” William Funnell

Viewings for all auction horses are available until Sunday 18th October. For more information please contact William Funnell 0778 5223114 or Roger McCrea 07545 874744

Full details of all the auction horses can be found at www.thebillystudauction.co.uk where bidding will open on Friday 16th October 9am GMT.

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Yard Addresses

Cobbetts Farm
Lyefield Lane
Forest Green
Dorking
Surrey
RH55SN

 

Jordans Farm
Horsham Road
Forest Green
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 5SB

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Enquire About Training

If you would like to enquire about training with us, please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Pippa Funnell

Twenty years after winning her first National Championship with Sir Barnaby, Pippa Funnell is firmly established as one of the world’s leading three day event riders.

 

Throughout a long career, Pippa has consistently been at the top of 3 Day Eventing having cemented her place back in 2003 when she achieved a landmark record by winning the Rolex Grand Slam (consecutive wins at Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley). As well as a healthy bonus from Rolex, Pippa earned herself a place in the history books as the first person to achieve this feat.

 

A year later she broke yet more records when she became the first person to win the Blenheim International Horse Trials for an incredible fourth time. This was followed by success at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where she helped the team to Silver before taking the individual Bronze medal. Her list of achievements has continued to expand, with Pippa repeatedly placing well at all the major events, and includes claiming both the Badminton and Windsor titles on more than one occasion.

 

With her best selling autobiography and her range of ‘Pippa Funnell’ computer games continuing to top the game sales charts it’s clear that Pippa’s determination, drive and devotion to her sport, is proving an inspiration to many. Pippa’s appeal continues to grow and with the launch of ‘Tilly’s Pony Tails’, her popularity is set to expand further still.

 

Away from eventing Pippa has also received many awards which include the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Award, the Sports Journalist Association Pat Besford Award for Outstanding Individual Sporting Achievement, as well as being named BBC South’s Sports Personality of the Year and reaching the last five of the overall BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

 

Pippa was awarded an MBE in 2005.

 

Pippa is married to international show jumper, William Funnell.

Donal Barnwell

Donal was brought up in a farming family in Co Wexford in the heart of Irelands horse industry and from an early age was involved with horses. He went to agricultural college, graduated and farmed pigs commercially for 3 years until he could resist a career with horses no longer.

 

His first job was with the late Pat Cash, where he spent 3 years learning the business and developing his own unique philosophy and outlook on selection, breeding and training. Being a farmers son and a stock man gives Donal a unique perspective on horses and accounts for ability to see potential in a horse which others may miss.

 

Donal is recognised as having one of the best eyes in the business. Overall athleticism and conformation is important but Donal also looks at the head and eye to get a real feel for a horse. Donal moved to England 25 years ago to work for one of Pat Cash’s clients near Maidenhead. Donal developed the business and extended his business contacts in England before setting out on his own.

 

18 years ago he set up on his own from rented dealing yards near Chichester and 10 years ago moved to his current yard in Kirdford, West Sussex. Historically Donal has specialised in eventers although with The Billy Stud he has broadened out into breeding competition horses for all disciplines.

William Funnell

William began riding ponies as a child on the family farm in Ashford, Kent. He was born into a farming and hunting family. When he was not doing farm duties he would ride the family ponies. At the age of 16 he has the choice of leaving school to start farming, or showjumping. When Cyril Light of the Brendon Stud in Sussex offered him a job as second stable jockey to show jumper Simon Trent, he chose the latter option.

 

He has had success at the highest level in international show jumping, 2013 has been a great year so far, especially with Billy Congo. After finishing 4th in the London leg of the global champions tour, William went on to jump triple clear in Cannes to finish second, and an unlucky pole in the final round in Monte Carlo prevented him winning the class, but another 2nd place finish meant that he moved up to fourth in the global champions tour ranking list, with over £150,000 worth of winnings from the 2013 global tour season alone. William and Billy Congo finished off the summer in style by being part of the Gold medal winning team at the European Championships.

 

William and Cortaflex Mondriaan joined the elite ranks of three time Hickstead Derby winner adding the 2009 championship to their wins in 2006 and 2008. Last to go in the international arena they achieved the only clear round of the day and the first clear in the Hickstead Derby for five years, a great achievement for William and his team and their sponsors.

 

William Funnel is a world-renowned show jumping rider with over 20 years experience at the top of his sport. He has won over 20 International titles and has represented his country all over the world at the highest levels.

 

He has represented Great Britain on 27 different occasions involving 2 European Champonships and has won over 50 International competitions.

 

William has been bringing on young horses for some 20 years and has his own philosophy on how this should be done.

 

Young horses need time to mature and should not be rushed. William tries to give them much more time out in the fields so there bones, ligaments and muscles develop as they would in the wild and at a “natural rate”. While this means that they may mature later than horses of similar age which have been brought on quicker Williams feels they have a more substantial foundation of bone and muscle on which to build.

 

Each horse is brought on slowly and carefully depending to its attitude and development. All the horses undergo similar work at a early age and are not streamed into eventers or show jumpers. This happens at a much later stage with William taking charge of those that may be destined for show jumping and Pippa Funnell managing the development of those that seem to have the latent skill as eventers. Even when streamed William feels that cross discipline work can still help bring a horse on.