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Funnell riding high for Sydney success
LONDON, Sept 1 (AFP) - Equestrianism remains one area where British Olympic prospects are high and following her resounding success in the individual and team competitions at last October's European championships, Pippa Funnell looks set to carry the nation's hopes into a medal position in Sydney. Funnell will be at the forefront of the attack, once again partnering the Pitt-Lewthwaite Syndicate's Supreme Rock. This time around, however, she will only be competing in the team event. Three-day eventing makes severe demands on the all round skills of both horse and rider in one of the rare Olympic disciplines when men and women are pitted against each other in competition. The partnership must show grace under pressure in the dressage, stamina and speed in the steeplechase and cross-country sections, with jumping precision a must in the final showjumping competition. For the team event, the winner is determined by adding together the penalty points of the top three riders in each team and the team with the least penalties wins. Funnell told AFP she was disappointed not to be selected for the individual event but was relishing the team challenge. "I would have liked a crack at the individual competition but I am delighted to be part of the team, said Funnell. "It's always an honour to represent your country" Funnell, 31, said that the British camp were full of confidence and that they were well aware of the task in hand. "We've got a good bunch of horses and on paper the odds look very good for us, added Funnell. "We have all worked extremely hard and although we know we will be up against strong competition we are very optimistic about our chances. "We are leaving on Thursday and we can't wait to get started. We are raring to go." Funnell said she has been "tearing around every day' going to visit her mount who is currently in pre-export quarantine miles from her home in the southern county of Surrey. A total of 280 horses are in isolation at 31 locations in Europe and North America. She said that her European success will stand her in good stead but warned the most serious threat to British medal hopes in Sydney would come from outside the Continent. "New Zealand have the most experienced team and they will be serious contenders along with Australia. From Europe France are likely to be challenging us for honours." Britain has won a total of five gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals in Equestrian events at the Olympics.
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