Free Rein Podcast

Michael is one of the founding members of the famous Whitaker showjumping dynasty. He first came to fame in 1980 when he won the Hickstead Derby on his first attempt, at the age of 20. He went on to win this iconic competition another three times.

Michael has also won Olympic team silver at the 1994 Olympics, and a haul of European Championship medals, including two team gold and individual silver. However, individual gold still eludes the 60-year-old - which is still hopes to win with his top horse Valmy de Lande.

Michael talks about his future ambitions in this interview, as well as his past successes. We also talk about:

• How winning the Hickstead Derby on his debut changed his life
  
• The secret to his very long success
  
• The horses that made his career
  
• The riders he respects - and learns from
  
• Passing on his years of experience to his son, Jack
  
• How showjumping has changed over the years, and how he has had to adapt his riding to stay competitive
  
• The impact of the Global Champions Tour on showjumping
  
• The Whitaker showjumping dynasty - find out who he thinks is the most talented, who is the stroppiest and who is the last one at the bar!
  
• Why his former top horse Viking lives out - 24/7
  

I hope you enjoy listening as much I enjoyed making it. If you do, please don't forget to 'like and subscribe'.

Happy riding!

In this episode Charlotte talks to international event rider Piggy French. Piggy is one of Britain’s leading event riders, with numerous wins and placings at the top level of eventing. However, a five-star win still eluded her – until now. After 25 attempts, Piggy finally bagged a major trophy – winning the 2019 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials with Vanir Kamira.

Other successes include winning team gold at the 2018 World Championships in North Carolina and individual silver medal at the 2009 Europeans at Fontainebleau. 

Piggy talks to Charlotte about:

• Hitting rock bottom in 2012 after missing out on the 2012 London Olympics and the 2013 European Championships - and how she finally "dared to dream again"
• Finding love when she least unexpected it, and learning to trust again. "Tom is a wonderful person and my best friend".  
• Her childhood crush on Mary King - and the array of presents she sent her! "Oh my god I was a lunatic!"
• Why taking time out to have her first child Max gave her a fresh new perspective on her sport and career 
• Her exciting future prospects - including one owned by Jennifer Saunders

Trevor and Caroline Breen are the most glamorous couple in showjumping. But they're not just a pretty face. Trevor has won the Hickstead Derby twice - winning it in 2014 with Adventure de Kannan and again in 2015 with Loughnatousa WB. He has also won the Hickstead Speed Derby, the Eventing Grand Prix and the Queen Elizabeth Cup. It seems fitting that Trevor and Caroline now live just minutes from the Hickstead showground. Caroline is also a successful international showjumper, having trained with Olympic showjumper Tim Stockdale. She also runs Breen Sport Horses, while bringing up their two children Mia and Ollie. In this exclusive interview they talk about: 

• How they met - and what attracted them to each other 

• Finally winning the Hickstead Derby 

• What makes Addy the one-eyed wonder horse so special 

• Their daily routine and training their horses 

• Why Caroline swapped gymnastics for horses 

• Why Trevor nearly didn't become a showjumper And so much more...

This second episode of Free Rein Podcast is part 2 of Charlotte Ricca's interview with equestrian couple Pippa and William Funnell. Pippa Funnell MBE is an icon of British Eventing, who has won Olympic team silver, individual silver and individual bronze medals. She was also the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Her husband William is a top showjumper, whose biggest claim to fame is winning the Hickstead Derby three times. The couple also run Billy Stud, breeding and producing top British-bred horses. Pippa and William invited Charlotte into their home one evening for G&Ts and a long chat. In the second part of the podcast they talk about: • Pippa's second career as an author of children's books • Coming to terms with not having children • Pippa dealing with the pressure of winning the Rolex Grand Slam • What Pippa doesn't like about modern eventing • How William copes with being 'Mr Pippa Funnell'! • Billy Stud's breeding programme • Why William won't be taking up eventing any time soon! • The secret to keeping fit as older riders And much more!

This first episode of Free Rein Podcast sees Charlotte Ricca talking to equestrian couple Pippa and William Funnell. Pippa Funnell MBE is an icon of British Eventing, who has won Olympic team silver, individual silver and individual bronze medals. She was also the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Her husband William is a top showjumper, whose biggest claim to fame is winning the Hickstead Derby three times. The couple also run Billy Stud, breeding and producing top British-bred horses. Pippa and William invited Charlotte into their home one evening for G&Ts and a long chat. In this podcast they talk about: • How they met • The secret to their long marriage • What they get up to when they're not riding • Why Pippa is a good influence on William's horses • Up and coming riders they rate • The current state of British Showjumping and British Eventing • Favourite horses in their career And much more!