From One Hickstead Derby Legend To Another Setting A New Record

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Last summer William Funnell set a new Hickstead Derby record when he lifted the Boomerang Trophy for a fifth time – making him the only rider in history to have won the class five times.

Previously William had been the joint record holder alongside four other showjumping greats: brothers John and Michael Whitaker; Harvey Smith, and Irish showjumping legend Eddie Macken.

Eddie was the first rider to achieve four Hickstead Derby wins, and he remains the only rider to ever win four years in a row, with all his victories coming courtesy of the same horse – the great Boomerang. After their fourth consecutive win in 1979, a new trophy was created depicting Eddie and Boomerang descending the Hickstead Bank, which has been presented to the winning rider ever since.

It is apt that Funnell has now lifted this trophy more than anyone else, as it was watching Eddie Macken in the Derby that originally inspired a teenaged William to become a showjumper.

“I was here when Eddie won on Boomerang for a fourth time in really wet, muddy conditions, and I remember thinking how unbelievable that was,” said William. “It really inspired me to want to be a showjumper and to one day jump the Derby.”

Recently, Eddie Macken sat down with Chloe Breen, daughter of Hickstead founder Douglas Bunn, for a video interview about his Hickstead memories. Although his record of four wins in a row will continue to stand, Eddie was quick to pay credit to William’s new record total of five wins.

“William has won five Derby titles now, and I'm delighted – he's a good friend of mine, and great guy,” said Eddie. “He bookmarks the class in his calendar every year and always gives it his best shot, and I think he prepares and sets his horses up for it really well, so there’s no better guy to do it.”

As well as Eddie’s remarkable Derby record, he had an incredible showjumping career including winning countless Grands Prix and Nations Cups, and he was top of the world rankings for three years running. His riding career spanned 50 years, with Eddie only stepping back from competing in 2018 at the age of 69.

Since then Eddie has had an extremely successful career as a coach in Canada and the USA, though recently he has made the decision to fully retire. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, and still loved the horses and the coaching, but the traveling and time away from home sort of got to me,” Eddie explained.

“I am enjoying my retirement, and we have a lovely place where we live near Whistler. Anybody who has a career in showjumping knows they have to give up a lot. Riders live on the road, and we miss out an awful lot of time with our family, and obviously our families have to be very tolerant to put up with it. Hopefully I'm going to be able to make up somewhat for all that lost time, and I love spending time with my six grandkids.”

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Paul Andrews - CEO Family Business United
Feb 20
2 min read

Leicestershire CCC is excited to announce the capture of all-rounder Logan van Beek for the 2025 season.

The Netherlands international joins for the Rothesay County Championship and Vitality Blast, and will arrive at Uptonsteel County Ground ahead of the Foxes’ opening home game against Derbyshire (11 April).

A vastly experienced bowler, van Beek has 599 career wickets to his name, including 231 in first-class cricket and 176 in T20s. He registered his career-best figures of 6/18 during Netherlands’ victory over UAE in 2017.

The 34-year-old is also closing in on a landmark with the bat, having scored 4,962 runs across formats to date – smashing a career high 136 for Wellington Firebirds last year as one of three professional centuries.

Van Beek arguably best displayed his all-round abilities earlier this winter when registering a five-fer and scoring a hundred in the Plunkett Shield meeting with Auckland, while he also made international headlines in 2023 by blitzing a world-record 30 runs during a Super Over against West Indies.

The New Zealand-born star holds extensive county cricket experience, having represented Derbyshire in 2019 and 2021, as well as Worcestershire during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Discussing his move to Uptonsteel County Ground, van Beek said: “Having followed Leicestershire across the last few years, it is clear they are a Club on the up. I want to contribute to that momentum.

“There’s no reason we can’t aim high and get to T20 Finals Day, as well as reach Division One in the Championship. I can’t wait to get stuck into the challenge.”

Claude Henderson, Director of Cricket, said: “We’re delighted to secure Logan’s services for the upcoming season. He brings a wealth of experience and great character, which will strengthen both our bowling unit and changing room.”

Van Beek, who will wear the number 87 shirt, becomes Leicestershire’s second overseas signing for the 2025 campaign, joining Australian international Peter Handscomb. A third overseas star will be announced in the coming weeks.

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From One Hickstead Derby Legend To Another Setting A New Record

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