Funnell keeps options open for Pau

Pippa Funnell has been short-listed with no fewer than four horses for the European Three-Day Event Championships in Pau, France, where she will defend her individual title in October. It is rare for any rider to be listed with more than two possible mounts; four could well be a record.

Supreme Rock, Funnell's victorious partner two years ago when she was also part of the winning team, will be first choice. The 13-year-old was again the best of the British when winning a team silver at last year's Olympic Games. Of the other three ­ Cornerman, Viceroy II and Jurassic Rising ­ two are expected to go to Burghley, leaving one in reserve for the Europeans. "At the moment I don't have a clue which one that will be," Funnell said.

Cornerman led after the cross-country at Saumur last month, but was found to have cut himself, so was withdrawn. Viceroy was the runner-up at Saumur; Jurassic Park was fourth at Bramham last year. "All three could hold their own, and they're capable of doing a smart dressage test," Funnell said.

EUROPEAN THREE-DAY EVENT CHAMPIONSHIPS (Pau, France, 11-14 October) British riders on shortlist: J Brakewell (Over to You), K Dixon (Too Smart), W Fox-Pitt (Stunning and Tamarillo), P Funnell (Supreme Rock, Cornerman, Viceroy II and Jurassic Rising), K Gifford (The Gangster II and Captain Christy), C Hoeg-Mudd (Feast of Florios), G Law (Plantagenet of Rushall), L Law (Shear H20 and Shear l'Eau), R Powell (Flintstone IV), C Pratt (Primitive Control and Primitive Streak), D Scaife (Midnight Dazzler).