John Whitaker (equestrian)


John Whitaker
MBE
Whitaker on Argento
Personal information
Born (1955-08-05) 5 August 1955 (age 69)
Websitejohnwhitakerhorses.com
Sport
SportEquestrianism
EventShow jumping
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing  Great Britain
Alternative Olympics
Silver medal – second place 1980 Rotterdam Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1980 Rotterdam Jumping Individual
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1984 Los Angeles Team jumping
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1982 Dublin Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1986 Aachen Jumping Team
Bronze medal – third place 1990 Stockholm Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1990 Stockholm Jumping Individual
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Rome Jumping Team
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 1983 Hickstead Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1983 Hickstead Jumping Individual
Gold medal – first place 1985 Dinard Jumping Team
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Dinard Jumping Individual
Gold medal – first place 1987 St Gallen Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1987 St Gallen Jumping Individual
Gold medal – first place 1989 Rotterdam Jumping Team
Gold medal – first place 1989 Rotterdam Jumping Individual
Silver medal – second place 1991 La Baule Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1993 Gijon Jumping Team
Silver medal – second place 1995 St Gallen Jumping Team
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Mannheim Jumping Team
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Mannheim Jumping Team
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Madrid Jumping Team

John Whitaker MBE (born 5 August 1955, Huddersfield)[1] is a British equestrian and Olympian who competes in show jumping. He has won numerous international medals including an olympic silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. He is the managing director of John Whitaker International Limited which produces tack and equestrian clothing.[2]

Showjumping

Whitaker has enjoyed success across four decades. He has competed at World and European Championships and five olympic teams between 1984 and 2016.[3] He has won the Hickstead Derby four times.[4]

"In this sport you lose more than you win, and you need to learn to cope with that. You have to be able to pick yourself up and come back and try another day." —John Whitaker [5]

Horses

He is best known for his partnership with the horse Milton with whom he won the Du Maunier Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows and won over £1 million in prize money before being retired in 1994.[4][6] He won an Olympic medal in 1984 on Ryan's Son who he was given at the age of 18 and had a partnership with for 14 years.[4]

Personal life

The Whitaker family is well known for showjumping.[4] Whitaker is married to Clare Barr and has three children, including Robert Whitaker. His niece Ellen Whitaker, nephew William Whitaker as well as John's younger brother Michael Whitaker, and his son Jack Whitaker are also show jumpers.[7]

Whitaker began riding at the age of 6, taught by his mother, who ran a riding school. As children, he and his brother Michael delivered milk using a horse and cart until they were 16 and began to show jump professionally.[4]

  • On Argento (2013)
    On Argento (2013)
  • On Maximilian (2013)
    On Maximilian (2013)
  • On Argento (2014)
    On Argento (2014)
  • Won CCI3* on Argento (2014)
    Won CCI3* on Argento (2014)
  • On Argento (2017)
    On Argento (2017)

References

  1. ^ "John Whitaker MBE" (PDF). British Showjumping. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  2. ^ "About John Whitaker International and JWI Staff | johnwhitakerintltd.com". johnwhitaker.com. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  3. ^ "John Whitaker – Equestrian Showjumping – News, Olympic Results and History". www.teamgb.com. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e Horse & Hound (16 April 2009). "John Whitaker, legendary British show jumper". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Meet John Whitaker". ponymag.com. 2021.
  6. ^ "Milton: 12 fascinating facts about our hero". Horse & Hound. 12 June 2015.
  7. ^ Smith, Sharon (2 April 2024). "Can John and Jack Whitaker make Olympic showjumping history?". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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