Ensign, the horse Pippa Funnell rode at the 2005 European Championships, has been put down, aged 20. Pippa and her mother Jenny Nolan gave the bay to Pippa’s former head girl Hannah “Sparkles” Watson (née Bailey) on his retirement. Ensign (by Mandalus) ran in bumpers, over hurdles and then fences for Ben Case before he started his eventing career in 2002 with Pippa. He moved quickly through the levels and in the autumn of 2004 won the CIC2* at Necarne before finishing second in the CCI3* at Boekelo. In 2005 he was called into the British squad for the 2005 European Championships at Blenheim after Pippa’s intended ride Primmore’s Pride was injured. He was second after cross-country, but dropped out of the medals with two showjumps down to finish ninth. Although he failed to finish on his two Badminton starts, Ensign recorded many good three-star results including second at Blenheim CCI3* (2006), fourth (2009) and fifth (2007) at Bramham CCI3* (2007) and second in the World Cup final at Deauville (2008). He was also third in the inaugural CCI4* at Pau in 2007. In 2010 Ensign was competed by young rider Amy Hawley, who was then based with Pippa. In 2011, Pippa and Jenny offered him to Hannah.
