Francis Whittington
Francis is a professional event rider based in East Sussex.
He represented Great Britain initially in the pony team, winning team silver and individual gold in 1993 on North Down Nova at the European Championships in Hassett, Belgium. Francis then went on to young riders, notching a second placing at Bramham young riders championships in 1997.
The married father of two is also a qualified equine dental technician.
Francis completed his first four-star in 2001 and more recently he has enjoyed several successes including a first and fifth placing at Blenheim CCI3*, second at the British Open and second at Barbury CIC3* all in 2014.
Franics has been selected to represent Great Britain at the senior European eventing Championships at Blair in September 2015. Here he will ride Easy Target who is owned by Catherine Witt. Easy Target has enjoyed a prolific career at three-star level.
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Burghley debutant with young horse moves into the mix among title contenders
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‘Like riding spaghetti’: Francis Whittington perseveres with talented enigma at Burghley
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#SundaySchool: Jumping a horse on an angle with Francis Whittington
This simple exercise provides a solid foundation for skinnies and arrowheads to help you when jumping a horse on an angle
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Farewell to ‘lovely, kind’ five-star horse put down aged 11
The Dutch dark bay was crowned British novice champion in 2016, finishing ninth in the young horse championships at Osberton the same year
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Top eventer’s dismay as walkers report horse ‘blocking footpath’ – in his own field
People have also been breaking stiles, dropping rubbish and defecating on his property
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British double as first winners crowned at Gatcombe’s Festival of British Eventing
There was a sense of déjà vu at the Festival of British Eventing today as two riders who won last year repeated their success
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Final farewell to ‘very precious’ former four-star eventer
The Irish gelding had enjoyed a long and happy second career after his retirement from top-level eventing
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Tom McEwen claims his first Festival of British Eventing title
Cross-country time proved as influential as always in the novice and intermediate championships at Gatcombe
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10 ways to improve your cross-country timing this season
Even at BE100 getting your timing wrong can scupper your hopes of success. We asked the experts for their tips on achieving the optimum time going cross-country
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What is life like for a groom on the road with a four-star eventer?
H&H followed Francis Whittington's groom Sharon Mepham for the day at Tweseldown to find out what life is like on the road with a top rider
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Improving cross-country reaction times with Francis Whittington and Saracen *Promotion*
Find out how Francis Whittington helped the Saracen Horse Feeds/Horse & Hound Ex Racehorse to Event Horse bursary winner improve their cross-country performance
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9 common cross-country queries solved
We ask the experts to tackle some common cross-country problems, from dealing with green horses to keeping your horse focused
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'It's my first big win': new face pips Oliver Townend at Gatcombe
Find out which riders were crowned intermediate and novice champions, and who leads the British Open
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Francis Whittington’s top tips for a smoother ride cross-country *Promotion*
For the cross-country element of the Horse & Hound/Saracen eventing bursary, international event rider Francis Whittington meets bursary winner 25-year-old Zoe Gould and her seven-year-old ex-racehorse Musical Legend (‘Legend’), by Midnight Legend out of a Sadler’s Wells mare.
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Brits at Blair Euros on Saturday: 'He's feisty, but I couldn't have asked for more'
Read reaction from each of the 12 British riders after today's cross-country at the European Championships in Scotland
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Brits at Blair Euros on Friday: 'She relaxed and did a good job' *VIDEO*
Britain's riders have had mixed success today in the dressage at the European Championships at Blair
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'We can make eventing safer': Francis Whittington ahead of Blair *VIDEO*
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Aachen Nations Cup eventing: Britain eliminated after close call with flag *VIDEO*
Germany won the Aachen eventing Nations Cup today, as Britain were eliminated after a controversial decision
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Aachen Nations Cup eventing: Britain third after showjumping
Holly Woodhead and Gemma Tattersall showjumped clear for Britain in the eventing Nations Cup in Aachen tonight
