London International Horse Show has today announced details of the last of the five Masterclasses in this year’s LeMieux Masterclass Series that will feature in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena at the Show. The ‘Training the Eye: The Art of Selecting Young Horses’ Masterclass will take place on Thursday 19 December at 13:30 and will be hosted by one of equestrian sports’ most decorated and admired couples, Pippa and William Funnell. The Masterclass is designed to elevate a potential buyers’ skills in selecting top-quality horses for sport or investment.
In this exclusive LeMieux Masterclass, spectators will gain unparalleled insights from two of the sport’s most respected professionals, who bring with them decades of experience in breeding, training, and evaluating young horses.
Event rider Pippa Funnell has had success at the highest level of the sport, including team Olympic silver medals in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004) as well as individual gold in the FEI European Championships in 1999 and 2001. The crowd-favourite eventer is also a six-time CCI5* winner and was the first woman to become World No.1.
Her husband, William, is one of Britain’s finest Show Jumpers and has represented the country in numerous Senior Championship teams. Earlier this year, he cemented his name in the history books when he became the first five-time winner of the iconic Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby. Together they founded The Billy Stud, where they breed and produce the next generation of elite sport horses.
The couple will guide the crowd through their young horse training secrets and the critical aspects of horse selection, including evaluating conformation, pedigree, performance potential, and temperament. With their proven expertise, the audience will learn how to spot untapped talent and make informed decisions that will set up potential buyers for success in the auction ring and help them to develop the confidence to assess horses like a true professional.
Speaking on the Masterclass, Pippa Funnell stated: “Joining the London International Horse Show to share my experience through a Masterclass is truly special. Identifying potential in a young horse is both an art and a skill, requiring a keen eye and thoughtful observation. I look forward to sharing insights on what I look for in a future champion, from conformation to temperament, and helping others develop their own ‘eye’ for spotting talent. It’s an exciting journey that starts long before the competition arena, and I’m excited to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained over the years.”
Throughout the Masterclass, Pippa will ride several horses from the Brilliance Horse Auction Co.’s Collection to help demonstrate the qualities that are important to look for in a young horse. Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural auction at the Show, this December the Brilliance Horse Auction Co.’s Collection will feature 12 world-class sport horses who will be available for bidding on the evening of Saturday 21 December both in-person auction and online via live streaming.
Show Organiser, Simon Brooks-Ward, commented: “We are delighted to announce the final Masterclass of our educational and entertaining LeMieux Masterclass Series. Both Pippa and William Funnell have had tremendous success not only in their respective sports, but also in breeding world-class sports horses. They are sure to provide invaluable insights to help the audience unlock the secrets to selecting future champions.”
To purchase tickets to the LeMieux Masterclass Series, visit
