 Funnell and Viceroy II had to retire at Badminton earlier this year |
Pippa Funnell chalked up another three-day eventing landmark with a record fourth win at the Blenheim International Horse Trials on Sunday. Funnell, winner of the sport's first Grand Slam in 2003, rode Viceroy II to victory after New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson faltered in the showjumping.
While Briton Funnell went clear in the final phase, Nicholson's knockdown on Flush Banker left him in third.
British European Young Rider Matthew Wright took second place on Park Pilot.
Blenheim tried out the controversial short three-day event formula, which omits the roads and tracks and steeplechase phases, in preparation for hosting the 2005 European Championships, which follow the same format.
Olympic bronze medallist Funnell admitted that had played a key part in her win, but added a note of caution for the advocates of further change.
"This format suits Viceroy very well," she said.
"However, it is crucial to keep the cross country length the same as in the long format as a lot of people went far too fast in the early part of Saturday's cross country and had to retire."
Funnell finished third with Viceroy at the event last year, when she won the third of her Blenheim titles on Jurassic Rising.
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