Funnell survives late scare to secure double
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Your support makes all the difference.Pippa Funnell retained her individual title and spearheaded a British team victory in the European Three-Day Event Championships yesterday, after a showjumping phase of toe-curling tension. The electric atmosphere in the packed stands reached its climax when Funnell, the overnight leader after her superb cross-country round on Supreme Rock, came in to jump the final round of the competition.
With just over 10 penalties (the cost of two showjumping penalties) in hand, Funnell looked to have her title secure as she cleared the first two parts of the penultimate fence, the treble. But Supreme Rock then ploughed through the final element, and, for one ghastly moment, it looked as though Funnell's quest might end with a fall. "My heart was in my mouth, but I clung on,'' she said, after she managed to retain control and clear the final obstacle, thus setting the seal on team and individual victories.
Funnell, who became the first rider to win the European title twice with the same horse, beat Germany's Inken Johanssen's on Brilliante and Spain's Enrique Sarasola on Dope Doux.
There was disappointment for the talented Greek rider, Heidi Antikatzidis, who was lying second overnight – as she had been at last year's Sydney Olympics. She again missed out on the medal ceremony, this time finishing fourth on Michelmas.
The British recorded their 17th team victory (and their fourth in succession), defeating France by 10 penalties. It was also the 16th time, out of 25, that the nation also achieved individual success in these championships. The seeds of this latest triumph were sown on Saturday's tough cross-country course with three wonderful rounds from Jeanette Brakewell on Over To You, Funnell on Supreme Rock and William Fox-Pitt on Stunning.
Leslie Law was the only team member to incur cross-country penalties when Shear H2O had two disappointing refusals, but he completed the course and Britain would still have won silver if his score had to be counted.
"I've got a team of David Beckhams and two spicy girls,'' said the Swedish-born Great Britain manager, Yogi Breisner, after the medal ceremonies.
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