Jack Whitaker (equestrian)

Last updated

Jack Whitaker
Personal information
NationalityBritish
Born (2001-10-09) 9 October 2001 (age 22) [1]
Sport
Sport Equestrian

Jack Whitaker (born 9 October 2001) is a British equestrian who competes as a show jumper.

Contents

Early life

Whitaker grew up in Nottinghamshire, where his parents run Whatton farm. A keen footballer, he spent time in the youth academy at Nottingham Forest. [2]

Career

In 2015, he won European Team Gold at the FEI European Pony Championships, riding Zodianne van de Doevenbree. [3] The following year, he won Individual Gold and Team Bronze with Elando Van De Roshoeve at the event. [4] In 2018 he competed at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina where he won Team Silver riding L V Chance Luck. [5] [6]

In 2020, he was selected to be part of the Young Riders Academy. [7] In 2021, he won his first five-star class at the Dutch Masters, riding Scenletha. [8] [9]

He won Individual Silver at the Youth European Championships in July 2021 on Scenletha. [10] He also Team Bronze at the event, competing as part of the Young Rider squad under the title sponsor banner of Team NAF for Great Britain. [11]

In 2022, he missed some competition time after injuring his spleen at the Northcote International. [12] In 2023, he and Joe Stockdale became official ambassadors for the Royal Windsor Horse Show. [13] In July 2023, riding Equine America Valmy de la Lande, he won the Royal International Salver at Hickstead. [14]

He competed in the first leg of the 2023-2024 FEI World Cup series in Oslo, Norway, and finished third on Equine America Valmy De La Lande. [15]

Personal life

He is the son of Melissa and Michael Whitaker. [16] He is a member of the Whitaker show jumping dynasty involving his father, his uncle John Whitaker, as well as his cousins Robert, William and Ellen Whitaker. [17] [18] He has younger sisters Scarlett and Sienna. [19]

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References

  1. ↑ "Jack Whitaker" (PDF). British Showjumping. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Jack Whitaker – An Olympian Close To Home". Nottinghamsport. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Britain's pony teams pick up five gold medals". Horse and Country. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "Jack Whitaker wins Individual Pony European Gold". The Gaitpost. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "Whitaker follows in his father's footsteps". Olympics.com. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Whitaker emulates father to win silver". BBC Sport. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  7. ↑ Ayres, Liana (23 September 2020). "Young Riders Academy: who's in". Cavallo Magazine. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  8. ↑ "Teenage Whitaker wins first five-star class: 'it's a bit surreal'". Horse and Hound. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Jack Whitaker and Scenletha stun in the Audi Prize at The Dutch Masters". World of Showjumping. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Jack Whitaker wins Individual Silver at the Youth European Championships". British Showjumping. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  11. ↑ "Young Riders bring home Team Bronze from Youth Europeans". British Showjumping. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "NEWS: Jack Whitaker injured after kick from horse". The Irish Field. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Smith, Sharon (2 April 2024). "Can John and Jack Whitaker make Olympic showjumping history?". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  14. ↑ "Jack Whitaker and Equine America Valmy de la Lande win the Royal International Salver at Hickstead". World of Showjumping. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  15. ↑ "Jack Whitaker claims a hard-fought third place in the first FEI World Cup qualifier of the season in the round up the week's International results". British Showjumping. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  16. ↑ Birch, Elli. "JUMPING JACK, THE NEXT GEN WHITAKER". Eqlifemag. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  17. ↑ "British showjumper Jack Whitaker: 'I've learnt patience the hard way'". Horse and Hound. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  18. ↑ "Whitaker Family Tree - A Show Jumping Dynasty". Stable Express. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  19. ↑ "Harry Charles and Jack Whitaker – on friendship, family and reversed roles". World of Showjumping. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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