Three year olds checking out the visitors at The Billy Stud.

© Elli Birch / Boots & Hooves Photography

Everyone needs a Billy!

By Elli Birch / Booths & Hooves Photography

Founders of The Billy Stud, William Funnell and Donal Barnwell — friends since they were teenagers — could only have dreamed that their joint venture breeding sport horses would be so successful.

William has been part of the international showjumping scene for many years; he is a four-time Hickstead Derby winner and has represented Team GB on numerous occasions, starting his showjumping career as an apprentice with Cyril Light of the Brendon Stud in Sussex, (where William and Donal first met) before setting up on his own. The older horses and William are based at Jordans Farm, Forest Green — 56km southwest of London.

Irishman Donal grew up in a farming family in County Wexford and has an incredible eye for a horse, a huge knowledge and great experience with breeding. He is situated in Petworth, about 30km further south from William; his yard is specifically set up to accommodate the mares, foals and young stock...

Read the full article here in the January issue of Equestrian Life!