{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

Billy Buckingham: celebrating the prolific showjumper’s career in pictures

Gemma Redrup Gemma Redrup

    • Yesterday (23 March) William Funnell shared the sad news that his 2018 Hickstead Derby winner, Billy Buckingham, had been put down due to a freak accident which resulted in a life-ending fracture.

    Billy Buckingham, who was bred by the Funnells and Donal Barnwell at the Billy Stud and is by the stallion Billy Congo, amassed a number of impressive victories during his 12 years.

    In addition to winning the Al Shira’aa Derby at Hickstead, he also represented Great Britain on Nations Cup teams, as well as at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. More recently, Billy Buckingham had just returned from the Sunshine Tour, where Pippa Funnell rode him in her first three-star grand prix at 1.50m.

    Here, we take a look back through Billy Buckingham’s career to pay tribute to him…

    Billy Buckingham and William in full flight at the 2018 Hickstead Derby

    <p>2018 Hickstead Derby winners William Funnell and Billy Buckingham on their way to victory in the venue’s immaculate main arena</p>

    Representing Team GBR at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon

    William FUNNELL (GBR) riding BILLY BUCKINGHAM in the Second Competition of the FEI Jumping Championships at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 at Tryon International Equestrian Centre, near Tryon North Carolina in the USA between 11th-23rd September 2018

    That winning feeling — William and Billy Buckingham enjoying their lap of honour at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby

    William Funnell and Billy Buckingham

    Flying high in Tryon

    WEG showjumping team Thursday William Funnell Holly Smith William Funnell and Billy Buckingham at WEG 2018.

    The pair jumping in the 2017 Hickstead Derby, where they finished sixth

    Billy Buckingham and William Funnell, 2017 Hickstead Derby

    William and Billy Buckingham in a schooling round at the 2018 WEG

    William Funnell and Billy Buckingham in the training session before the start of competition at WEG 2018. WEG showjumping times

    Once again, in full flight at WEG

    WEG showjumping speed William Funnell

    Magical moments — soaking up the winning feeling at Hickstead in 2018

    William Funnell and Billy Buckingham

    Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2025 with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    Gemma Redrup
    Gemma Redrup

    Former H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor
    Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
    Gemma Redrup

    You may like...