Funnell Completes Sweep of Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing British Rider Makes History With Win at Burghley

LEXINGTON, KY—September 8, 2003—Pippa Funnell of Great Britain became the first rider in history to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing when she rode Primmore’s Pride to victory at the Burghley Masterfoods Horse Trials in England.

Following back-to-back wins in the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event last April and the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May, Funnell completed the sweep of the three CCI**** events at Burghley to win $250,000 and a Pink Gold 18-carat Datejust Rolex watch. The payoff was the largest in eventing history.

“I never want to go through such an emotionally-draining experience again,” said Funnell who received her award from Great Britain’s Royal Highness, the Princess Royal. “After cross country I felt like a huge weight was off my shoulders and then I just felt that what was meant to be would be.”

Funnell is a two-time defending European champion and she helped Great Britain win team Silver Medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2002 World Equestrian Games. She won the Rolex Kentucky Four Star in late April on Primmore’s Pride and the Badminton Four Star in England in early May on Supreme Rock. She completed the historic sweep on Primmore’s Pride and now looks forward to defending her European Championship in just two weeks at Punchestown, Ireland.

“This is an amazing accomplishment and Pippa is a most worthy champion, “ said the U.S. Equestrian Team’s James R. Wolf, who helped create the Rolex Grand Slam. “The level of competition at these three events is the highest the sport has to offer. For any rider to win all three consecutively is an unbelievable achievement. Olympic champions like Blyth Tait and David O’Connor have come close, but this is the first time a rider has managed to pull it off. This is a great moment for Pippa and for our sport.”

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org