John Whitaker (equestrian)

John Whitaker MBE (born 5 August 1955, Huddersfield)[1] is a British equestrian and Olympian who competes in show jumping. He has won numerous international medals including an olympic silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles.

John Whitaker

Whitaker receiving a trophy in 2014
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing  Great Britain
Alternative Olympics
1980 RotterdamJumping Individual
1980 RotterdamJumping Team
Olympic Games
1984 Los Angeles Team jumping
World Championships
1986 AachenJumping Team
1990 StockholmJumping Individual
1982 DublinJumping Team
1990 StockholmJumping Team
1998 RomeJumping Team
European Championships
1985 DinardJumping Team
1987 St GallenJumping Team
1989 RotterdamJumping Individual
1989 RotterdamJumping Team
1983 HicksteadJumping Individual
1983 HicksteadJumping Team
1987 St GallenJumping Individual
1991 La BauleJumping Team
1993 GijonJumping Team
1995 St GallenJumping Team
1985 DinardJumping Individual
1997 MannheimJumping Team
2007 MannheimJumping Team

He is also the managing director of John Whitaker International Limited which produces tack and equestrian clothing[2].

Showjumping

Whitaker has enjoyed success across four decades. He has competed at World and European Championships and five olympic teams between 1984 and 2016[3].

He has won the Hickstead Derby four times[4].

Horses

He is best known for his partnership with the horse Milton with whom he won the Du Maunier Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows and won over £1 million in prize money before being retired in 1994[4].

However he won his olympic medal in 1984 on Ryan's Son who he was given at the age of 18 and had a partnership with for 14 years[4].

Personal life

The Whitaker family is well known for its showjumping prowess[4]. John is married to Clare Barr and has three children – Joanne, Louise and Robert. Robert Whitaker has successfully show jumped at the highest levels. John's niece Ellen Whitaker, nephew William Whitaker and younger brother Michael Whitaker are also show jumpers.

John began riding at the age of 6, taught by his mother, who ran a riding school. As children, John and his brother Michael delivered milk using a horse and cart until they were 16 and began to show jump professionally[4].

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References
  1. "John Whitaker MBE" (PDF). British Showjumping. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  2. "About John Whitaker International and JWI Staff | johnwhitakerintltd.com". johnwhitaker.com. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  3. "John Whitaker – Equestrian Showjumping – News, Olympic Results and History". www.teamgb.com. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  4. Horse & Hound (16 April 2009). "John Whitaker, legendary British show jumper". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
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