H&H interview: showjumper Robert Whitaker
The leading showjumper talks to Jennifer Donald about Catwalk IV, the tough quest for future stars and hoping to represent his family at the World Cup Final
Robert Whitaker
British showjumper Robert Whitaker was born on 26 January 1983 and now lives in West Yorkshire. He is the son of John Whitaker and nephew to Michael Whitaker, so has grown up in oneof the most successful showjumping families in the world.
Robert’s competitive nature and talent were clear from the start, as he competed in his first international show at Towerlands in Essex in 1994, when he was just 11. His rise to the top continued when he joined his first Nations Cup team at the age of 18 and won the British Open two years later, in 2003.
He has enjoyed considerable success is puissance competitions, including clearing 2.12m bareback while riding Waterstone in Stockholm.Robert became a father for the first time in April 2013 when his partner Kate Jackaman gave birth to their daughter Evie. Evie is John and Clare Whitaker‘s first grandchild.
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‘He was unbelievable’: Whitaker secures sensational first World Cup win
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Williams and Whitaker clear 7ft2in for HOYS puissance honours
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Beezie Madden takes World Cup jumping title as British riders finish out of the prizes
Beezie Madden completed her domination of the World Cup jumping final this afternoon in Paris, while Britain’s riders suffered mixed fortunes
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Beezie Madden still leads World Cup jumping final; Whitakers progress to Sunday’s last leg
The US rider repeats her first place from yesterday tonight in Paris, while Michael and Robert Whitaker both make the cut for the final competition on Sunday
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Beezie Madden leads after ‘juggling act’ at World Cup final; Whitakers in the hunt
The US was the dominant nation tonight in the first leg of the World Cup jumping final, while Britain’s pair of riders performed creditably
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Whitakers off to World Cup: 26th time lucky or beginner’s luck in Paris?
The uncle and nephew are to fly the Union Flag in Paris this spring
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A Whitaker quartet fly British flag in Nations Cup after withdrawal
Joe Clayton has replaced William Funnell in the British team after Billy Buckingham was pulled out
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Find out who inspires our top riders PLUS get game-changing training advice for 2017
Don't miss today's issue of Horse & Hound magazine to read our two new series — 'Inspirations' and 'Master It With...'
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The ultimate Whitaker quiz: have you got the legendary showjumping family sussed?
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...
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Robert Whitaker back in the saddle after missing HOYS due to ill health
The British showjumper was unable to compete in his classes as planned
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Robert Whitaker: 'Spectators want a good jump-off' [H&H VIP]
This week's showjumping columnist Robert Whitaker reports on his experience at the 2015 Royal Windsor Horse Show
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British showjumpers on a roll in Nations Cup series [VIDEO]
John Whitaker helps British showjumping team snatch a crucial points-scoring victory in the Rome leg of the Nations Cup
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Dermott Lennon triumphs in Royal Windsor grand prix
Dermott Lennon provides Ireland with a storming success in the CSI3* Alltech grand prix at Royal Windsor Horse Show
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Marco Kutscher lands the World Cup qualifier at Olympia
Marco Kutscher triumphs in a true Olympia nailbiter, with Robert Whitaker best of the Brits in fourth
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British showjumping team for Nations Cup final revealed
Find out which showjumpers will represent Britain in the final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup
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Robert Whitaker's Finbarr V dies aged 17
Robert Whitaker's puissance star has been put down after suffering from lymphangitis
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British squad named for Hickstead Nations Cup
Find out which riders will represent Britain in the home leg of the Furusiyya FEI 5* Nations Cup
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Great Britain triumphant in Nations Cup
British showjumpers snatch victory by 1point in the Nations Cup in Switzerland
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John Whitaker: Why the new-look Windsor deserves at least 4-star status [H&H VIP]
John Whitaker shares his thoughts on why the new-look international show at Windsor ticked all the right boxes — and explains why Sunday was a day to remember
