William Funnell

[Dubsie]

Daughter and I had tickets to Hickstead on Saturday, and had a great day watching the jumping and spent many ££ on the stalls. Eagle eyed daughter spotted that William was due to sign autographs at 5.30 on one stand that was selling some of his products, so we joined the queue after the Sky Sports Speed Classic.
Despite having had a busy day, and clearly being quite tired and no doubt thirsty (it was hot) William was really nice and chatty with everyone who had queued up, signing autographs for my daughter and her friend, and when he spotted I was trying to take a photo he took the time to make sure I got a really good photo of him and her. Daughter was absolutely thrilled as only 10 year olds can be on meeting their hero.

I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the time and trouble he took to make sure all his fans were happy.

Will try to post the photo later.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Some years ago we had a similar signing & photo opportunity with Tim Stockdale....what a nice bloke, daughter had her photo taken with him, signed autograph & chatted to her about her pony. I think they realise how important this is to youngsters & also how important it is for the future of the sport.

 

[Scribbles]

Old school showjumpers are the best

There just doesn't seem to be that lovely humble yorkshire nature in the younger generations.

 

[Lanky Loll]

Will is lovely - MANY years ago he partnered my younger brother in the mini-major at Olympia, he came over and said hi before the class, walked the course with him and generally did whatever he could to take away any nerves (good job too as my folks were rather tense!).

 

[ISHmad]

Gawd this thread makes me feel old. I used to watch Tim Stockdale schooling over jumps when he was a kid...

Will Funnell seems a really genuine bloke too. Great ambassadors for their sport unlike some of the prima donnas out there!

 

[pigletpip]

I've met both William and Tim and they're great! TV is very deceptive of William's appearance - taller and slimmer in person than looks on TV. My boyfriend got mistaken for one of the Funnell team when he was speaking to William and Pippa shortly after the Derby this year. Lol. He does work with Pippa I guess but not like that.

Tim's lovely and says Hi everytime I see him which is nice.