Sunday 17 July 2011

Wiliam Funnell heads Kent County Hadlow area trial

William Funnell and Kepi d'Elle win the Hadlow area trial
William Funnell took Kent County Show’s Hadlow area trial (16 July 2011) riding Carol Toliver’s Kepi d’Elle with one of only two double clears. The other one, which was good enough to secure the runner-up spot, came from his stable jockey Daniel Moseley. Who was riding William and Donal Barnwell’s Billy Stud’s Billy Grand.

"I am glad Daniel did what he was told to and rode to instruction," William joked, referring to Dan's steadier time than his in the jump-off.

Two clears
Just two of the 16 starters went clear over Kelvin Bywater's first-round course. A big white oxer with a water tray four from home was responsible for marking most riders’ sheets, together with the final oxer to vertical line in front of the packed grandstand.

Despite heavy rain during the day, the ground held up very well.

"Considering the rainfall we've had, it wasn't too bad," said William. “"There's a bit of a bowl in the middle of the arena and it is wet in there, but other than that it wasn't fine."

Just William and Daniel went clear in the first round, so they were joined in the five-combination required jump-off by fast four faulters Daniel Moseley (Seventh Fee), Helen Tredwell (Opportunity B) and David McPherson (Leonitas).

Second round
Daniel's first tour of the course with Seventh Fee resulted in a further 12 faults being added to his tally leaving him on 16. However, Helen and Opportunity B were without error on this occasion and after David McPherson added another four to his score card, she took eventual second.

William was the first of the clear riders to go again and he kept all the poles up this time, too, in a time of 46.22. Only Daniel, this time riding Billy Grand, was left to beat him and although he went clear, he opted not to chase his boss's target and finished second with a clock readout of 50.05.

Personal win
"I was born not far from this showground, so it's always nice for me to come here and win some money," said William, whose father, John, and brother, David, are working in the main Astor Ring at the show. "I try to come here every year. I love it and to win makes it even better."

This win put a further £1,200 in prize money in to William's account, adding to the £500 he'd won a day earlier by topping the Biddenden Vineyards accumulator with Billy Congo.

Jane Annett and Zidane V win the ride and drive
Speed demon
Jane Annett continued her run of ride and drive wins by topping the Tushingham Stable Hire Ltd sponsored competition her with own Zidane V. She had won the same type of competition at Royal Norfolk, where bad weather had prevented the driving element from being included. However, here she was able to show her driving skills were just as good as those on board a horse.

She beat Phillip Miller and Very Versace, however, the quickest round of the class was produced by Sam Hutton (Top Limit), but with a bit of an error.

"I went down the slalom the wrong way," he said. "How stupid of my!"

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