'You value these big wins more'

William Funnell’s insight into riding round Hickstead and team horsepower

- Jennifer Donald

I WAS very proud of my wife Pippa’s win at Bramham last week. When you’re younger, things happen and you expect them to happen again, so sometimes you don’t appreciate it when you do win. Speaking for both Pip and me, as you get older you tend to value those moments much more.

For that reason, I will appreciate the Hickstead Derby, which takes place on Sunday (25 June), as well if it happens. With my history in the class it would be lovely to get the fifth one. I always build pressure on myself but I’m certainly feeling this one.

Last year was Equine America Billy Diamo’s first time round and it’s always good to get that first one under your belt. Hopefully he’ll have grown from that and this year I’ve focused on doing the right things to produce him for Sunday.

I hope I’m fit enough to ride two horses round – I’ve been cycling up plenty of hills in preparation – because I have a second ride on Dublon, a lovely big horse who jumped round last year with Adam Botham.