Posted: 4th January 2016 | Back to news feed
William Funnell and Billy Congo delivered a classy display to end day two of the Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show in winning fashion.
The 1.50-metre jump-off class, sponsored by Horse & Hound, saw 2013 European Championships Great Britain team gold medallists Funnell and the 15-year-old stallion at their brilliant best, and another bumper Liverpool Echo Arena crowd loved every minute.
Twelve combinations made it through to the jump-off, and Funnell's time of 35.28 seconds proved too much for the rest, although Ireland's Billy Twomey actually went quicker on Diaghilev, but they had the last fence down.
Liverpool-born Peter Charles, part of Great Britain's London 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning team, finished second with the richly-promising Dauphin, while Irish challenger Dermott Lennon was third aboard Fleur IV.
Funnell collected a first prize of £6,000, and he was understandably delighted after an immaculate display that showcased everything about the horse's poise and power.
"I wasn't going to do anything daft tonight," he said. "I kept everything tight and neat, and luckily it forced a few errors.
"He has won at five-star level, he has won more than £600,000 in his career, and he is a class act.
"His results speak for themselves. I have won a five-star grand prix with him, and he is a horse of a lifetime. It's lovely to have a horse of that quality."
Funnell, meanwhile, offered high praise for inaugurual Liverpool show. The Echo Arena rocked to the rafters on Saturday as bumper crowds packed out the venue.
"You run out of superlatives for this show," he added.
"We have tried to give entertainment, and you can see with the riders that we are really enjoying the show. The whole thing is just fantastic."
Italian Piergiorgio Bucci also lavished praise after claiming an impressive victory aboard his Nations Cup campaigner Casallo Z.
Bucci made it another successful Italian job following his compatriot Emanuele Gaudiano's victory on Friday, and there was no doubting his supremacy in the 1.45 metre class against the clock, sponsored by Equo.
"I have enjoyed this show so much," he said.
"I must say congratulations to Nina (Barbour) and all the organisers. This is the first year at Liverpool, and they have done an amazing job. It is so impressive.
"It is a super arena, and you get a really good, warm feeling in there."
Bucci prevailed in a time of 46.44 seconds after Britain's Laura Renwick had set a scorching pace aboard Heliodor Hybris, clocking 47.50 seconds, while Twomey challenged strongly with Tin Tin, but ultimately they had to settle for second and third places, respectively.
Three other combinations - Nicole Pavitt (Victor Blue), John Whitaker (Lord of Arabia) and Johnny Pals (Urjul van Generhese) - all clocked a quicker time than Bucci, but each of them had a fence down.
Reflecting on his £6,000 triumph, Bucci added: "It was a tough class.
"Normally, he is my grand prix horse. He has jumped many clear rounds, but it was good for my horse to have the turns to do today. I am very pleased."
There were ghostly goings-on at the Echo Arena as the mini major relay class, sponsored by Jolly Good Vehicle Leasing, made a Saturday night appearance.
Cheshire showjumper Corinne Collins, dressed in her finest Ghostbuster outfit, teamed up with young Wiltshire pony rider Oscar Hobby to win a thrilling competition where the top three finishers were separated by just 82 hundredths of a second.
Oscar, who was among 12 pony riders from throughout the country invited to take part at Liverpool, set a scorching pace on Blue, before Corinne, aboard Bugatti B, expertly finished the job in a combined time of 51.47 seconds.
Guy Williams, proudly displaying a fine Captain America outfit, was second in partnership with Maddie Heath, while Nicole Pavitt - dressed as Catwoman - and Goldie Morgan took third.
Aisling Byrne had a day to remember at the Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show after driving herself to victory in more ways than one.
Not only did the Irish rider from County Westmeath land the 1.30 metre amateur jump-off class, sponsored by Irish Horse Gateway, she also won a Mini car as the leading points-scorer across two days of competition in section A.
Just four combinations made it through to the jump-off, and Byrne, riding Wellview Classic Dream, was the only challenger to keep all the fences up for a second time.
Four-faulters Lucinda Roche (WCE Falco) and Reece Oliver (Eagles Costalot) finished second and third, respectively, with Benjamin Raistrick taking fourth place on Benevita.
"It was a great crowd, and I enjoyed it tremendously in there," Byrne said. "I have never jumped at a show as nice as this one, with the atmosphere. It is fantastic. The horse coped brilliantly, and it is certainly not every day you win a car!
"It was a proper testing course, which was reflected by the amount of clear rounds. They are good horses and good riders, who are well used to competing at this level. To only have four clears just showed how tough it was.
"My horse is very honest and trusts me, and I knew that if I had to make some turns, I could do it with her. She is deceptively quick across the ground, and she is very careful."
The 1.20 metre amateur speed class, sponsored by Aggreko, went to 12-year-old Angel Tough on Varuni Z, a nine-year-old mare owned by her grandfather.
Manchester-based Tough made the most of a late draw, slicing almost a second off the time of Molly Andrews and Wilando B, while Isabelle George and Douce de Roulard finished third.
"I thought it was going to be hard to get the time, but it helped having a late draw," she said.
"I have been to five or six shows. She is my grandad's horse and he has let me have it. I have been riding her for three months, and we've won more than £500 in that time.
"She's a really friendly horse and likes to do things with you. She is always happy."
And Ireland's Richard Howley made a winning start to day two on a horse he described as "a phenomenal jumper."
Many of Britain and Ireland's leading under-25 riders have gathered in Liverpool for the weekend, with Sunday's grand prix set to be a thrilling competition.
Saturday, though, saw a field of 26 contest a 1.45 metre two-phase class, sponsored by Gatehouse, and it was Howley who came out on top with Clane K, edging the established pairing of Kerry Brennan and Wellington M into second place, with Pippa Allen and Hope Springs third.
Besides top-class showjumping, Liverpool's slick, eye-catching production incorporates scintillating performances from the ‘Bootleg Beatles,’ opera singers Bella Voci, theatrical stunt rider Clémence Faivre and the ever-popular Shetland Pony Grand National.
For more information on the Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show go to www.liverpoolhorseshow.com
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