One derby victory still missing: Hamburg!
“I think I've won every derby - except Hamburg!” he says thoughtfully, smiles and makes a clear statement. This year, the British derby specialist William Funnell wants to fill this gap on his list of victories. He is coming to Hamburg for the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby and is bringing another absolute specialist with him for his ambitious project: his Hickstead Derby winner from 2024, Dublon.
“The fact that one of the world's best derby riders is one of the first riders to sign up in our premiere year in Hamburg increases our already huge anticipation even more,” says show director Matthias Alexander Rath from the event agency Schafhof Connects. “In general, the riders' interest in the 94th German Show Jumping Derby is enormous - that's great!”
William Funnell is 59 years old, competed in his first championships in 2005, became European Team Champion with the British team in 2013 and took part in the 2018 World Championships in Tryon (USA). He has been one of the best show jumping professionals in Great Britain for decades, but last year he made history: He won the Al Shira'aa Derby in Hickstead for the fifth time. Five times - no one has ever done that before him. “That's why I ride, for days like this!” philosophized the record winner on that historic day. Funnell won the Hickstead Derby for the first time in 2006 and repeated this success in 2008, 2009, 2018 and 2024. “My father was a hunter rider,” he explains his special Derby affinity. “I grew up jumping over anything in the way.”
Funnell also won the derbies in Falsterbo and La Baule, as well as in Eindhoven. "I always enjoyed going to Eindhoven. But unfortunately that was at the same time as Hamburg and it wasn't that far for us, so I haven't been to Hamburg that often, two or three times." The professional admits a little more quietly: “I'm also a bit nervous.” And there are two reasons for this: "I was born in Hickstead and know the Derby there from the ground up - including the Wall, which is a bit higher than the one in Hamburg. But: At Hickstead, the horses have to jump off the wall because then it's two long gallops to the gate. In Hamburg they have to slide down to the ground and then there is only a short canter jump to the next obstacle. I will practise this beforehand and watch lots of videos of the Hamburg wall in preparation." In addition, the 14-year-old Dublon is a very brave horse with a lot of ability, but not very fast. This is not so important at Hickstead because all pairs with the same number of faults are ranked in the same place if they stay within the time allowed. In Hamburg, it's the time that counts with the same number of faults. Perhaps William Funnell will also get a tip or two from his wife, Pippa. Pippa Funnell is a three-time Olympian in eventing, twice coming home with team silver.
But before Funnell thinks about the way off the wall on Derby Sunday, the international riders of the Al Shira'aa Derby Tour have the 1st qualifier for the German Jumping Derby on Wednesday and the 2nd qualifier powered by Dreame.de on Friday on their agenda. In this second Derby qualifier, worlds meet: traditional Derby sport history meets state-of-the-art technology from the Dreame household helpers. Whether pool, mowing or vacuum robots - the innovative products from Dreame work independently and precisely - leaving more time for riding or watching videos for the perfect preparation for the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025.
(KiK/pe&pa)
The AL SHIRA`AA German Show Jumping and Dressage Derby will take place
from May 28 to June 01, 2025
Further information at: AL SHIRA`AA German Show Jumping and Dressage Derby hamburg-derby.com