Perfect Pippa takes pride in third Badminton triumph (From Gazette Series)

Perfect Pippa takes pride in third Badminton triumph

FOR THE third time in four years Pippa Funnell clinched the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, leading from start to finish with Primmore's Pride.

Funnell, who won in 2002 and 2003 on Supreme Rock, produced a high-scoring dressage test of 40.9 penalties to lead after the first two days.

Despite scoring eights for a majority of her test, it was not faultless and she blamed herself when 'Kiri' broke in one of the extended trots.

"I was going for the big marks and you have to be brave even if it means paying the price occasionally - but he was super in his mind," she said.

Also breaking the 50-penalty barrier with a score of 46.1 penalties was defending champion William Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo. Fox-Pitt was slightly disappointed with Tamarillo, who was reluctant to enter the arena and was also rather exuberant during the test.

"He couldn't quite contain himself - but horses are not machines," he said afterwards.

"It wasn't the most pleasurable seven minutes to ride. He has never been this naughty and for a moment I thought we were looking at a 70 penalty test in the face."

Badminton debutante Yoshiaki Oiwa, riding Voyou Du Roc, finished the dressage in seventh while his tutor at Gatcombe, Australian Andrew Hoy, finished in 10th with Master Monarch and equal 23rd with Mr Pracatan.

Saturday's cross country caused problems for many top riders, including Leslie Law, who had two falls with Shear H2O (Fence 27) and his Olympic ride Shear L'eau (Fence 13) and Kristina Cook, who fell at Fence 25.

Chipping Sodbury rider Nick Gauntlett, riding Arthur's Word, was also a casualty with a fall at Colts Pond.

Putting the disappointment of two falls last year behind her, Funnell kept her cool, retaining her lead ahead of Fox-Pitt, adding just 3.6 time penalties to her overnight score.

"I was chuffed to bits with him," she said.

"The work has paid off and there wasn't any fighting we've had before but I was relieved to jump that gate," referring to the fence where she fell twice in 2004.

Fox-Pitt, who withdrew his first ride Ballincoola on the steeplechase but finished the day on his dressage score with Tamarillo, said: "He is a quick horse and having been round here in the same direction last year he seemed to know where he was going. He has been playing the fool all week and I hope he is more sensible tomorrow."

After an immaculate cross-country, Oiwa found himself in third, adding just 0.8 penalties to his dressage score at what was Voyou Du Roc's last event.

"I just wanted to give Rocky a good final ride. He is a quick horse and I knew if I rode him well, I could finish well," he said.

A clear round by Fox-Pitt in the show jumping put the pressure on Funnell to go clear but with suburb precision at every fence she took the title by just 1.6 penalties.

It was an emotional day for Funnell as Supreme Rock was officially retired at the event.

Afterwards she said: "I knew William would go clear and while Kiri hung on my hand a couple of times I didn't have to worry too much as he is such a fantastic jumper. I am so lucky to have such amazing horses."

Fox-Pitt said: "Apart from being rather cheeky in the dressage he (Tamarillo) has been brilliant and I am so lucky to have him back in such great shape after Athens."

Hoy gained his highest Badminton result after a clear round with Master Monarch moving him up to third place as well as finishing sixth on Mr Pracatan. Yoshiaki collected 12 jumping penalties to drop them down to 11th. New Zealander Andrew Nicholson completed his 23rd Badminton, finishing fourth on Lord Killinghurst.

Top Ten (GB unless stated)

1. Pippa Funnell - Primores Pride (44.5 penalties) 2. William Fox-Pitt - TamarillO (46.1) 3. Andrew Hoy (AUS) - Master Monarch (51.7) 4. Andrew Nicholson (NZL) - Lord Killinghurst (52) 5. Jeannette Brakewell - Over To You (53.2) 6. Andrew Hoy (AUS) - Mr Pracatan (54.5) 7. Kitty Boggis - Five Boys (58.4) 8. Daisy Dick - Spring Along (59.6) 9. Polly Jackson - Tangleman (60.3) 10. Heidi White (USA) - Northern Spy 60.5)