Ellen Whitaker was born into the Whitaker showjumping dynasty — daughter of Steven, brother to Robert, niece to John and Michael and cousin to William — so she was destined to follow in the family footsteps.
Born on 5 March 1986, she showed early signs of the Whitaker talent and ambition, competing in her first affiliated show at just five years old, and qualifying for the Horse Of The Year Show by the time she was eight.
She was one of the youngest riders to represent Great Britain when she competed at the European Championships in Germany in 2007, defying her critics to jump triple clear and secure gold for Britain. This win ensured a British presence at the 2008 Bejing Olympics, although Ellen missed out on a place in the team due to her top ride at the time, Holstein stallion Locarno 62, going lame.
Ellen is the winner of numerous prestigious showjumping events including the 2007 and 2010 Hickstead Speed Derby and the 2009 HOYS Puissance. An attractive blonde, Ellen was perceived as bringing a touch of glamour to the sport — and was engaged to Hollywood actor Henry Cavill for a time — but in recent years she’s taken a step back from the limelight while she produces her next string of up-and-coming equine superstars.
In May 2014, she had her first baby, Harry Marinas Whitaker, with her Spanish partner, Antonio Marinas Soto — who is also a showjumper, of course. They added Frankie Thomas Marinas-Whitaker to their family in March 2016. We wonder what the boys’ choice of career will be…
Ellen returned to British team duties following a seven-year break in June 2018 with her new equine star Arena UK Winston, who she described as “one of the best I’ve ever had”. The partnership were among the nine combinations nominated for the British team for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
You'd be excused for getting your Whitakers in a muddle from time to time. Britain's showjumping dynasty seems to be ever expanding — as do their list of jumping accolades. Put yourself to the test with our quiz...
Check out these edge-of-your seat, hair-raising moments from across the disciplines during the past 12 months
Showjumper Ellen Whitaker has given birth to her first child
A leading lady rider has announced she is expecting her first child in May
An 11-year-girl from Cheshire, suffering from cancer, was granted her wish last month when she met showjumper Ellen Whitaker at the Horse of the Year Show
Showjumper Ellen Whitaker has been banned from driving for 18months for being caught at more than twice the legal alcohol limit
The prestigious Horse & Hound Foxhunter championship did not disappoint with a thrilling jump-off, won by Guy Williams and Djakarta
Congratulations to Ellen Whitaker, who got engaged to her actor boyfriend in Hollywood last night
Two Swedish horses are settling in on Ellen's yard near Barnsley
Kanselier, Ellen Whitaker’s speed horse, could be retired immediately after this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)
Ellen Whitaker becomes the first lady to win the Hickstead Speed Derby twice as she repeats her win in 2007
Ellen Whitaker has withdrawn herself and her top ride Ocolado from British team selection during 2010 after a falling out with performance manager Rob Hoekstra
Ellen Whitaker claimed her first British Open Show Jumping Championship title on Sunday
Egypt's Abdel Said produced a fabulous performance at Olympia to win the Christmas Cracker on Friday
The Whitaker family triumphed in all of the show jumping classes on the first jumping day at the Olympia Horse Show
Keep an eye on Ellen's exploits at her new website, going live next month
Ellen Whitaker is crowned leading show jumper of the year with Equimax Ocolado
William and Ellen Whitaker both clear 7ft2in to share puissance win on Friday night at Olympia
Ellen Whitaker beat Billy Twomey and Geoff Luckett to the £5,000 first prize in the final easibed national 1.40m grand prix at Stafford
The ladies' and men's championships were hotly contested in the Bingley Hall at Stafford yesterday
