The name Whitaker is synomonus with show jumping there are probably the most successful family in the sport of show jumping. The Whiter family begins with 4 brothers from Yorkshire, the most famous of these brothers are John Whitaker & Michael Whitaker who have both been the cornerstone of the British show jumping team for the last 30 years in 1984 John Whitaker & Michael Whitaker were members of the silver medal winning team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Ian Whitaker & Steven Whitaker are both highly accomplished horsemen who have both competed in the sport.
Along with his brothers, John, Michael and Ian, Stephen was brought up by his parents Donald and Enid. Donald was a farmer, and although he didn’t ride, he had a good eye for buying horses. It was the brothers’ mother Enid who taught her sons to ride and so began the Whitaker legend.
Today Stephen trains Ellen and her brothers to ride, as well as competing himself when he can.
Born August the 5th 1955 John Whitaker is the eldest brother or the 4 Whitakers Michael Whitaker, Steven Whitaker and Ian Whitaker. John Whitaker has 3 children Louise Whitaker, Robert Whitaker & Joanne Whitaker.
Michael:
Younger brother of John Whitaker, Michael Whitaker began competing on ponies at the age of 7 years. At the age of 16, he made his debut in international competitions and at 20 years in 1980, he became the youngest winner of the famous Hickstead Derby. In September 1993 he took over from his brother John as the world’s no.1 show jumping rider.
Ellen:
Twenty-three-year-old Ellen is the daughter of Carol and Stephen Whitaker, and the niece of international riders John and Michael. As a member of the famous Whitaker “show jumping” family, she was born with the sport in her blood.
Ellen grew up on the family farm near Barnsley in South Yorkshire where she began to ride as a toddler. She still lives there today with her parents, her brothers, Joe, Thomas and Donald and her dog Lucy.
Ellen is currently ranked 13th in the UK and is working hard to achieve her goal of attending the 2012 Olympics.
Currently aged 21, Joe is ranked 7th in the UK's Top Young Riders list and was a member of the Junior European Championship team that won the bronze medal in 2006. As well as competing, Joe spends much of his time coaching other riders.
Thomas:
Thomas, aged 19, is currently ranked 29th in the UK's Top Young Riders list and recently came first in the Horse Deals Young Riders Final at Arena UK on Hosire Des Chaines.
Donald:
Donald is following hot on his siblings' heals and at 17 is beginning to get his name known in the show jumping world for his own talent, as well as for being a member of show jumping's most famous family.
Robert Whitaker is an international show jumper who rides for the British Team. Robert is the son of the John Whitaker, nephew of Michael Whitaker and cousin of both Ellen and William Whitaker.
William:
William is cousin to Ellen and Robert Whitaker, both of who have established themselves at senior international level in show jumping. The twenty two year old has been described as a naturally talented rider and is potentially one of Britain's best show jumpers.
He grew up with horses and has competed since he was 8. In 2001 when he was 12, William won the Horse of the Year Show 138cm Championship on his pony Mystic Starlight Express. Two years later he won the Junior Foxhunter riding Devlin and in 2005 he won the Junior Show Jumper of the Year.
In 2007 Robert was selected to be a member of the Accenture Young Rider European team who claimed gold. He was also chosen to be a member of the Young Riders Nations Cup Team, winning at Compeigne and Carnaval Path.
The following year William was a member of the Young Rider European Bronze Medal Team and won the Puissance at Olympia.
Here is a video of William on his horse Leonardo jumping the puissance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka4RGOhFrtk&NR=1
Very thorough project Katie. I would have liked a bit more geography to it though.
ReplyDeleteLots of information here and in your map.
Mrs L:)