Event rider, Pippa Funnell has added another triumph to her phenomenally successful year by scooping the prestigious Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Britain's leading event rider, who is currently ranked number one in the world, convincingly beat off strong competition for the award including previous winner, athlete Paula Radcliffe, cyclist, Nicole Cooke who was third and yachtswoman Emma Richards who took the runner up position.

The Award which was voted for by readers of the Sunday Times is due recognition for Funnell's record-breaking achievements this season, in which she became the first rider ever to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley claiming eventing's biggest cash prize of $250,000. She then went on to win and take third place at Blehnheim a week later, before leading the British team to a fifth successive European Championship gold medal the very next week.

The 35 year old from Forest Green in Surrey was presented with her award by Sunday Times Editor, John Witherow, at a star-studded lunch in London last week.

"I have won a few equestrian awards now," she said after receiving the award "but to win an award like this - a sports award outside the horse world - is very special."