Tag Archives: William Funnel

Top quality Showjumpers for sale on Horse Scout

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Horse Scout  horses for sale classifieds are selling the best horses on the market.

£100,000
Jaffar is an extremely competitive winner at 1.40m and 1.45m level with an incredible list of results including winning every 7yo GP in MET 2 2016. if you like to win then this is the horse for you.
STATS – 16.2hh 8yo gelding, sire Lord Z and damsire Darco.

jaffar

POA

Very powerful and careful gelding with a great technique over the jump, competitive in 1.30m classes and placing in 1.40m. Never stops, no vices, with a proper training will progress to Grand Prix. Ranked 18th in the Gold League.

STATS – 17hh 8yo Westphalian gelding, Sire Stedinger, grandsire Sandro Hit

anfisa

£35,000
This quality homebred is a fantastic model of a horse with a fabulous technique over his fences. He has a great amount of scope and is a prolific winner in his class. He has won a 6 bar contest, won 1.30m and qualified Blue chip B&C final. Grade A with wins too numerous to mention. A horse for the future with a great amount of talent.
STATS – 16.3hh 8yo Warmblood gelding by Darius

euro

£16,000
Fabulous opportunity for ambitious rider looking to gain more experience at the higher levels. Scooby has jumped up to 1.40m level – jumping at the big UK arenas including Hickstead (Derby Stakes) and Royal Windsor and out in Vilamoura Portugal in 2016. Good on the flat with 3 good paces, good flying changes and a great working attitude. Ridden and jumped in a snaffle mouth, This experienced horse really knows his job.
STATS – 16.3hh 11yo bay Selle Francais gelding, sire Iolisco De Quinhon

jnb

 Are you looking to sell you horse, or have a horse for sale? Sign up to Horse Scout today or call the team freephone on 03339 398353 for assistance.

William Funnell, The Billy Stud and Horse Scout

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Horse Scout are thrilled to announce ‘Billy Congo’ as the most connected Stallion of 2016!

 

v7a4173aHorse Scout do a good job of promoting The Billy Stud, and allow people all over the world to know about us”. – William Funnell 

 

Billy Congo is by the AES & Irish Horse Board Approved stallion Vechta, who is by the famous world class sire Voltaire. Vechta’s extended pedigree carries 3 crosses to influential TB stallions Lucky Boy, Cottage Son and Furioso and top level performance sports horses. These performers and progeny include the great For Pleasure, Heisman, Faust Z and Maximillian Voltucky, Champion young stallion at the SHB (GB) stallion grading.

 

Horse Scout Team are thrilled to see organic connections building on his profile, showing how well he stamps his stock as a fabulous jumping sire. Fellow jump riders endorse Billy Congo, including Steven Franks, with multiple successes with Billy Ginger, one of many Billy Congo offspring !

 

Horse Scout are currently advertising three horses for sale by the illustrious Billy Congo- a BE 100 eventer (Billy Opaque) and a BE Novice eventer (Billy Chicago),  both ready to progress to the next level, and a 6 year old showjumper in Ireland.

 

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steven_franks_internationa_producer_profiled_on_horse_scout

Steven Franks – Top Tips for Top Class Rides

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Steven Franks –   With over 15 years experience in producing horses to Olympic and Grand Prix level, Steven Franks reveals his top tips on training his horses and buying a show jumper.

 When did you become serious about show jumping?

I was 17 when William Funnell spotted me at a show and said I should work for him if I wanted a career in show jumping. I ended up staying with him for seven years. At the beginning I was riding his young horses and, as the years went by, I got the opportunity to ride some of the more established ones and to carve out a career.

Name the highlights.

Back in the day… riding Cevin Z at three Horse of the Year (HOYs) finals and placing at a few international Grands Prix with Mondriaan.

More recently, since setting up my own business, coming second in 2015 at the Hickstead Derby on Carlow Cruiser and second in Spain at the three-star Grand Prix with Brutus III. He was a winner at CSI Bolesworth with Billy Ginger as well as winning the Area Trial at Edenbridge County Show.

Tell us a bit about your horses.

I have three horses with double clears at International Grand Prix:

Brutus III (by Billy Congo) is a really special 10-year old who has jumped nine world ranking classes on the trot without dropping a pole.

Carlow Cruiser (by Cruising) is a veteran at 18! He is a 16.2hh grey gelding, with incredible ability but is a menace in prize givings.

Abdul Aziz (Diamant de Semilly) a 2004-born black 16.2hh gelding.

Then I have Holly Congo (by Billy Congo) who at nine years old is winning 1.40 classes, as well as Billy Ginger who is the winning machine.

I also bought Brutus’ brother, seven-year old, 17.2hh Amethyst. He is currently jumping Fox Hunter classes. I don’t like to work big horses hard when they are young as they are simply too weak — it’s important to work on getting a good canter. And no… 1m30 isn’t big for a horse that size!

Are they for sale?

Every one is for sale but they’re not pushed under people’s noses.

How do you keep your horses sound and happy?

I place an emphasis on keeping them fit for the job but not over jumped — the fitter they are, the less likely they will pick up an injury. If they are established and competing, I hardly jump at all at home and, even then, it’s no bigger than 1m30. It’s purely to keep their jumping muscles strong. The younger horses (under seven) will jump more in order to improve their technique.

So what’s a weekly schedule for an established horse like Brutus?

Five days week they’ll be out in the field for two hours and they will be hacked three times a week. I will also work them in the paddock three times a week – I find that the sand school disguises a few things but in an open field there’s nothing to help you with straightness!

Do you use any training tools or favour any specific bits?

My motto is generally to keep it simple and most of my horses go in snaffles. Sometimes the horses with a high head carriage work with a bungee to work longer and lower and to use the muscles across their back but, in general, for show jumpers I think that if they are comfortable and happy carrying their head high or poking their nose, it’s better than forcing them to go in an outline and lean on the rider.

You now own your own business breaking and producing other people’s horses. What’s the most important thing when training a youngster?

The basics are flat work – straightness, self carriage, working forward, and being responsive off the leg and not dependent on the rider.

Can riders come to you for lessons?

In around five years time I’ll probably teach lessons, but at the moment that’s not a priority.

So do you train with anyone regularly?

In the past, of course, I’ve been trained by William Funnell and Di Lampard and if I had a problem at a show I’d always ask their advice, but no, I don’t train regularly with anyone. Most of the time I figure it out for myself. There’s no right or wrong way. Every horse is different. You just have to be clever…forever thinking.

What advice would you give other upcoming show jumpers?

I find watching certain riders I admire, such as Marcus Ehning, helps. And often it’s more beneficial to watch them in the warm up rather than the ring.

What’s important when buying a show jumper?

The most important thing is intelligence and a big heart. I’d rather they had less talent and a heart of a lion than be ultra talented and only give 80%. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, I think buying the right horse is down to gut instinct – look at a horse, get on and try it. Sometimes what you are looking at on paper simply doesn’t translate when you ride them.

So do you think blood lines are important and which ones do you like?

Yes it does count — I have three horses by Billy Congo: Brutus III, Holly Congo and Billy Ginger.

But my other favourites are similar to most others… Diamant de Semilly and Kannan.

What are your goals for the future?

To keep some young horses coming through so that we can keep going to the top shows. Keep the form and success up so that we can continue to climb the world rankings. Winning a Grand Prix and the Hickstead Derby, now that would be nice!

And why Horse Scout?

The social media side is very good — it’s so important these days to network and market yourself.

Interview by Sam Lewis Journalist and PR for Horse Scout

More about Steven Franks and the horses he produces can be found on Horse Scout

Visit Steven Frank’s profile page to find out more about the horses he has for sale which, at the time of writing include two wonderful youngsters ready to take the stage:

Box Clever a talented 5 year old who had a clear round in the Discovery at his first show. A handsome looking gelding by Box Clever – follow this link to his sales page.

Steven also has a talented homebred mare by  Adorado x an Animo Nimmerdor mare who is winning with double clears in Newcomers ready for 2017 and has also jumped double clears at Foxhunter.  A quality horse ready for a keen amateur to produce. Steven has ore information on her Horses for Sale page, follow this link.

More on Horse Scout about the stallions Steven franks mentions.

Horse Scout is the place to visit if you are looking for any of the top class stallions that Steven has mentioned in his interview.  Horse Scout really does have a top class line up listed on its Stallions at Stud pages. Visit our Stallions At Stud pages or use the links to particular stallions in the text above.

Cevin Z

Performance Stallions at Stud : Cevin Z

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Cevin Z, one of the Billy Stud stables’ top performance stallions at stud is standing at West Kington Stud this season.  Left to William Funnel by his owner Heather MacPherson, he was proving himself as a talented performance horse. His strength was certainly in his temperament and consistency, and his six year old season in 2003 indicated just how talented this horse was when he achieved fourth place in the Foxhunter Championship at the Horse of the Year Show.

This handsome grey Holstein performance horse stallion ridden by William Funnel in 2007 took a purse of £8,000 at Lisbon, Vimeiro, Chantilly and at home taking the top ribbons in the County Shows. William was convinced that Cevin Z would make a top Grand Prix horse whose first progeny in 2007 where already showing the same potential and great temperament of Cevin Z.

This lovely horses big circuit career was cut short by a fetlock injury in 2008. However, his breeding and his successful progeny say everything about him as a performance stallion at stud.

Bred at the Zanersheide Stud in Belgium, he has the outstanding bloodlines that Zangersheide is justly famous. Cevin Z has double crosses of Cor de la Bryere and Capitol 1.  He was top priced foal when he was sold in 1997 to Heather MacPherson. Cevin Z’s sire, Coriall Z, is one of the top stallions of the Zangersheide Stud, with a BLUP of 127 for show jumping, as well as two graded sons. His dam, Larthago by Carthago Z (9 graded sons), was an international show jumper and her progeny have fetched high prices in Europe.

Here are just some of his progeny and their rankings in the competitive arena:

Billy Mexico –  Jumping CSIS 5* won £1,080 last season Standing Billy Stud

Billy Du Montois – Standing at Billy Stud and who looks very like his Sire

Billy Deniro – jumping 1.45 successful season last year standing at Billy Stud

Penny Borough Z – on the Itlaian Olympic event team at aged 9 and won the 7 year old British Eventing Champion in 2010 and also placed 5th in the 7 year old European Championships at Lyon d’Angers

Billy Bounce – was 3rd in the British Eventing 6 year old Championships in 2010.

Billy Manhattan – sold to Norway won the Norwegian 6 Year Old Championships,

Billy On Show – also sold to Norway won the 2* G


Click here to view this eye-catching stallion on Horse Scout

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Elite Showjumping Stallion: Billy Congo

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Billy Congo:  “I’m just in love with some of the young horses by Billy Congo” says William Funnel to the AES in January this year.

Billy Congo achieved Gold British Show Jumping Elite Stallion status in 2010 ridden by William Funnell. He was part of the Nations Cup winning team at Hickstead jumping a double clear round and was also selected for the British Team squad for Dublin. He was placed sixth in The Super League Grand Prix in Falsterbo Sweden again jumping a double clear round and was 2nd in the Derby Trial at Hickstead and won the International Bunn Leisure Tankard class.

His successes continued at Grand Prix through 2011 to last year and 2015 looks set to be a star year with Billy Congo already taking good placing’s in his 3* competitions this year.

By AES & Irish Horse Board Approved stallion Vechta, who is by the famous world class sire Voltaire. Vechta’s extended pedigree carries 3 crosses to influential TB stallions Lucky Boy, Cottage Son and Furioso and top level performance sports horses, these performers and progeny include the great For Pleasure, Heisman, Faust Z and Maximillian Voltucky, champion young stallion at the SHB (GB) stallion grading.

Billy Congo’s Dam Billy Autumn was herself and successful Grand Prix Showjumper and her sire, Animo, is among the elite jumping stallions in the world today.

Billy Congo’s young stock are now showing their potential.

In 2011, Billy Umbongo was joint winner of the Four Year Old Championships at the Addington, the following year he jumped clear everyday to pick up the bonus for the British bred 5yr olds. 2014 has seen Billy Umbongo go on his first sunshine tour to Spain and jumped numerous clear rounds in the 7yr old classes.

With his deep understanding of the breeding process, breeders should be assured by William Funnels responses to the Anglo European Stud Book when asked “Is Billy Congo the best?” and “Which stallion brought you the best horses?” his response was:

“Billy Congo is the best! No, I’m a modest man, but I’m just so in love with some of the young horses by Billy Congo. Some six and seven-year-olds in my stables. What I experience with Billy Congo is that he gives blood and produces careful sport types. There aren’t many stallions like that. For most stallions you need a blood mare. He doesn’t need that. I think most people don’t even realise how good he is because I think he is suited more to the European mares than the English blood types. He’s good on the typical continental mares, because he’s a strong horse with a good back and good hind end. That’s why I think we should sell more semen to Europe. There are not enough stallions with this type in Europe. Together with Kees Van Den Oetelaar I’m dividing the semen in Europe now. We have just finished another period of freezing his semen. His semen is better than any other, and his frozen is as good as the fresh.”


Click here to view this showjumping stallion on Horse Scout

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The Billy Studs’ AES Stallion Billy Mexico is proving himself through his successful progeny

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Congratulations to Pippa Funnel and Billy Walk On at Chatsworth International earlier this month.

Billy Mexico, a striking AES/AWR approved stallion, is a successful international showjumper with William Funnel has competed along side his stud duties.

Besides his own skills in the competitive arena at CSI3* CSIO5*, his progeny are also making their own mark in the performance horse world. In January, Horse Scout blogged about the successful line up for the Billy Stud at the Futurity awards where Billy Walk On took just one of the first places awarded to Billy Stud that day.

Billy Walk On is showing just why he was feted at the Futurity Awards. He is performing so well out in the competitive arena with three wins from three starts already this season. Billy Studs’ busy news reel reported in March that Billy Walk On, the lovely 6yr old by Billy Mexico, led from the front in both his novice events, firstly at Tweseldown where the section had over 60 starters, then at Aldon, Pippa rode a 24.3 dressage which then gave her breathing space in cross country to pick up 8 time faults but still finish victorious”.

He followed this by another win at Somerly Park Horse Trials. Then yesterday, the Billy Stud reports that Pippa and the Walkinshaw’s amazing 6yr old Billy Walk On have once again brought home the top honors! He won the CIC* at Chatworth international, this was his first time competing at this level. This lovely son of Billy Mexico will now have a holiday in the field before returning to competition in the autumn…. Deservedly so!

Billy Mexico has the breeding to stand by his own successful progeny through both his sire Cevin Z his sire who was was bred by the prestigious Zangersheide Stud, and carries double crosses in his pedigree of both Cor de la Bryere and Capitol I. Cevin Zs’ youngstock are achieving top class results – in both show jumping and eventing at international level. Bidorette, the mother of Billy Mexico, is a proven broodmare having produced numerous good foals, in particular the approved stallion Fervent, a proven sire who achieved over $2000.00 in winnings and also Libro who jumped to Foxhunter level, with BSJA winnings of £974.00. Libro also excels as a dressage horse with 250 points and is working at advanced medium level.

Billy Mexico is by the Billy Stud AES / AWR approved stallion Cevin Z. He is an exceptional young stallion starting his competitive career with William Funnell. He is showing huge ability, combined with an excellent temperament. His pedigree sets him apart and combined with his talent and temperament ha has proven to be an ideal producer of high class sports horses, especially show jumpers and eventers.

His first crop of young stock were placed first and second at the Young Horse Championships in 2006. He has competed successfully with William Funnell at International level. His youngstock are achieving top class results – in both show jumping and eventing at international level.

2008 was Billy Mexico’s first season at stud and as a 3yr old only covered six mares, but the crop have been outstanding. As this crop reached maturity, William said “From what we have seen of Mexico’s progeny so far we are very excited about him as a breeding stallion. Considering we only covered the six mares the first year, all the offspring have shown his super technique and great brain”.


Click here to view this stallion on Horse Scout

Looking to buy or sell your own horse? HORSE SCOUT is the number one equestrian networking site that allows you to follow and connect with leading industry professionals as well as buy, sell and promote your horse or business – sign up free today!