Pippa Funnell: The Autobiography

by Pippa Funnell

The autobiography of the most successful Three Day Event rider of all time - updated for the paperback edition.

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.

Genres: Horses

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dark-Draco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather typical biography - Pippa starts her story in early childhood and chronicles the ups and downs of trying to make it as an international event rider. There are a lot of very candid moments and I did like the way that she admits to her fears and to her mistakes. I can't say that it was the most inspiring biography I have read, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Kingfan30 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say I’m an avid follower of eventing, but living fairly close to Stamford, I’ve been to Burghley Horse Trials a few times. It’s a great day out and I’m in awe at the bravery the rider have to take on the cross country with those massive jumps. If the aren’t high, they are wide! So I know the names of some of the big competitors and therefore Pippa and some of the other eventers she talks about. Pippa comes across as pretty down to earth, and she obviously has a lot of drive to succeed at eventing and yet still has the horses welfare in mind. I am also aware of Badminton and Belton (another event I’ve have been to but is sadly no longer run) but I hadn’t realised there quite so many others. I like the honesty about her nerves and how with help she tackled them, to be fair if you weren’t nervous tackling that course I’d be worried 🤔 I did confused a few times about which William she was referring to, William her husband or William Fox Pitt a fellow eventer. And I also think it could have done with going through a proof reader, but other than that an interesting read.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pippa Funnell has proven to everyone that hard work and dedication really does pay off in the sporting world and that through everything she has finally made it to the top. What i love about Pippa is that she is 'human' and that unlike some other riders she is the first to admit her weaknesses and failures and that it is okay to say 'i am nervous' as she later proves in highly reccomending sports psycologist Nicky Heath who helped her tremendously in concquering her pre-event nerves. No one is perfect and not even those althletes who are at the very top of their game and Pippa has stood firm against all the critics to prove to not just everyone but also herself that it was possible. This rider autobiography was one of the very best that i have read in terms of horse rider accounts and i found it to be very down-to-earth and heartwarming as well as truthfull. Pippa is such an inspiration to all young and old, amatuer and professional and i would reccomend that any horse rider of whatever standard should definately read her autobiography, as you will find nothing better in the way of inspiring writing. It was such an easy read and one where the reader feels as if you are having a conversation with Pippa herself, which is really nice and that she is very honest and a truely remarkable sports professional.

[Alexandra Goldthorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

Would highly recommend this book to any equestrian, young or old, but particularly those who love the discipline of eventing. You don't have to have to competed at all. This is a tale of big dreams and aspirations, sacrifice, hard work, disappointment and finally triumph. I think any equestrian who was riding back in the 90s will remember Pippa for her beautiful skewbald/paint horse, Bits and Pieces, and it was my interest in him and what happened that initially drew my interest with this book. Pippa captivated me the entire way, and made me feel and see her life as she experienced it, and that's a unique talent for any writer. I lent my physical copy of this book to a friend who competes in eventing. I never got it back but I don't care. Books should be shared and loved, and I have this copy.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pippa is quite forthright in this book which came out shortly after her grand slam win. I found it interesting to find out more about her path to success.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ruby chose to do her 3rd grade biography book project on Pippa and this book has been kicking around so I decided to read it and get the scoop.

[Bethan]

I thought that this book was a good insight into how she became the rider she is today.

[Mika Auramo · Rating 2 out of 5]

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