John Whitaker
John Whitaker is one of the most admired showjumping riders worldwide and is still going strong at the age of 63. He has competed in dozens of major international championships collecting 24 medals at Olympic, World and European championships during his long and successful career to date.
John was selected to represent Britain at the Rio Olympics with the talented, yet inexperienced, mare Ornellaia. The daughter of For Pleasure had been on great form ahead of selection. He ruled out his top ride Argento, despite the stallion winning at grand prix level this season, saying: “Argento is a great horse, he’s a real fighter but he has his limits and I don’t want to push him beyond them.”
John Whitaker has also won numerous major classes such as the Hickstead Derby. One of his most famous horses, Milton, was the first showjumping horse to win more than £1 million in prize money.
John is married to Claire and they have three children, Joanne, Louise and Robert.
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‘To lift a trophy 51 years after your first is an achievement you can’t replicate in any other sport’, says Chris SmithBy Chris Smith Published
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‘I didn’t want to make it too easy for the younger guys!’ John Whitaker pips nephew to win seventh Cock O’ the NorthBy Eleanor Jones Published
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A Who’s Who of Whitakers: how well do you know the famous family of showjumpers?By Jennifer Donald Published
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He’s back! John Whitaker makes winning return after two months on the sidelinesBy Jennifer Donald Published
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A 50-year age range in the jump-off: young Irishman wins London grand prix and John Whitaker fourthBy Pippa Roome Published
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‘It’s still a win!’ John Whitaker shares London spoils with Seb Hughes and his 18.2hh star – in unusual fashionBy Eleanor Jones Published
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Arise ‘Sir John’! Whitaker surprises fans during 70th birthday celebrationsBy Jennifer Donald Published
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Legendary showjumper John Whitaker reveals his idols and what he wished he’d known while growing up, as he turns 70By Jennifer Donald Published
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‘A very great friend and a true legend’: top riders lead the tributes to John Whitaker on his 70th birthdayBy Jennifer Donald Published
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‘She means so much to me’: joy as 20-year-old Olympic horse is coming home, thanks to £116,000 bidBy Eleanor Jones Published
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A legendary horse and rider with a combined age of 86 and a red ribbon for The King’s carriage horse – what you might have missed at Royal Windsor Horse ShowBy Jennifer Donald Published
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‘He won’t give me tips!’: Jack beats uncle John in Whitaker one-two at Royal Windsor Horse ShowBy Sarah Radford Published
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‘The LA Olympics are only three years away!’ John Whitaker switches to eventing as he turns 70By Eleanor Jones Published
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‘I’m pinching the ride!’: 12-year-old borrows his dad’s horse (who’s won with John Whitaker) to win national titleBy Jennifer Donald Published
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Two generations of Whitakers – with a 58-year age gap – win on same dayBy Jennifer Donald Published
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‘Everyone loves her:’ meet John Whitaker’s donkey who hob-nobs with grand prix horses and teaches the youngsters to jumpBy Eleanor Jones Published
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The greatest grandfather, a fearless teenager and 100mph ponies: what happened at this year’s London Horse Show?By Jennifer Donald Published
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‘What the **** just happened?!’ Gemma Stevens pips John Whitaker to win London six-barBy Eleanor Jones Published
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Lightning quick pair win and John Whitaker jumps alongside his granddaughter in London: ‘Forget the Olympics, this is serious pressure’By Jennifer Donald Published