Pippa Funnell steps onto the podium after a decisive victory at Bramham this year. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
British Eventing is pleased to announce that the two Non-Executive Board Directors positions which arose, as part of the term rotation, have now been filled.
The two voluntary positions, which will be formally appointed for a four-year term at the British Eventing AGM, will be awarded to Will Cursham and Pippa Funnell.
Will is a current member of the Board and put himself forward to stand for a second term. A litigation lawyer, specialising in construction, he has led legal teams in numerous high value cases for blue-chip clients with successful outcomes.
Will’s equestrian background is steeped in Eventing with both parents having evented at the highest levels. He has evented himself up to Novice and still owns horses and competes.
Three times Olympian, winning two team silver and one individual bronze medals, Pippa has also won two European Championships team golds and one individual bronze medal. Pippa was also the very first person to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which she did in 2003. Having held nearly every major title there is to win during her competition career so far she has notably won Badminton on three occassions, been awarded the honour of The Times Sportswoman of the Year in 2003 and been a top-five nominee for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Aside from being a prolific competitor, Pippa is also a renowned producer of young horses and a trailblazer in British breeding with the Billy Stud which she co-owns with husband Will Funnell and Donal Barnwell.
British Eventing Chair, Mark Sartori, said of the appointments “I would like to thank Will for giving his time for another term with British Eventing. He brings great value to the Board with both his eventing background accompanied by his professional career as a specialist dispute resolution laywer.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Pippa for putting herself forward. Pippa’s depth of knowledge across all areas of the sport is second-to-none and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with her as we drive the sport forward. Her success as not only a competitor, but also as a world-class breeder and producer of young horses, is globally recognised and her joining the BE Board will without doubt reap rewards for our members and stakeholders.”
With regards to the appointments there is no requirement for a member vote due to there only being two nominees for the two positions.
The British Eventing AGM will take place on 8 December 2023. Further information inviting members to join the AGM will be sent directly to eligible members nearer the time.
