Localrider Magazine
ENDURANCE • SHOWING • SHOW JUMPING • PONY CLUB www.localrider.co.uk
£3.00
August 2015
30 Pages of show reports, including: August 2015 • VOLUME XV NUMBER 7
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FEATURE John Whitaker MBE was born into a Yorkshire farming family. His mother Enid was a keen rider and his father Donald had working horses on the farm. John began riding when he was six and started competing aged eight. He enjoyed success at numerous World and European Championships and won a silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He partnered Milton who was first horse to win more than £1million in prize money from show jumping. Milton became one of the worlds most recognised and loved show jumping horses. John is married to Clare and they have three children, Louise, Robert and Joanne.
John and Milton
Above: John jumping Milton in Stockholm Right: John pictured at home with his medals
Q�A with John Whitaker MBE As show jumping legend, John Whitaker MBE heads towards a milestone birthday (60) we took the opportunity to catch up with him and find out a little bit more about the son of a Yorkshire farmer. Many of you got in touch to let us know the question you would most like to ask John and here are his answers. Q What is your favourite memory of your Q Who was your horse of a lifetime if you John pictured winning on the Sunshine Tour
career so far?
A Winning European Championships. Q Which is your favourite show? The one you always look forward to going to, because of the country, the venue, the food, the people etc. Gothenberg, the crowds are so good.
A Q Who cooks for you when you’re on the road? No one I eat out, unless my wife cooks.
A Q Which out of Ryan’s Son and Milton A
was your favourite and why? Both were liked as much, they were very different characters.
Q If you could turn back time and do it
all again, is there anything he would change? No I wouldn’t change anything.
John riding out at home on Milton
A Q Who were your equestrian heroes
John and Argento
had to pick one?
A Milton Q Do you have homemade Yorkshire A
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Puddings on a Sunday with your Roast beef? I don’t have Sunday lunch as we are always at shows.
Q Apart from your JWI accessories what other feed, tack or accessories could you not do without? Horses
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A Q If you weren’t a show jumper what
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would you be?
A Farmer Q Would you ever do I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here?
A No Q How do you feel about your
grandchildren following in your footsteps? I would be pleased, my children have enjoyed the sport and so have I.
when you were growing up? Harvey Smith
A A Q If you could ride any famous horse who would you like to ride? Q Do you think it is more difficult to produce a top horse nowadays? A Shutterfly A Not really there are plenty of classes for Q Any regrets? them. A No Q Do you have a breeding programme in place? Q Which was the most difficult horse to ride that had the most talent? A Yes we breed from our old mares with our stallions. A Gammon Q By which routes have most of your Q Do you wish you could have cloned
On the yard
Milton?
John and Ryan’s Son
good horses come to you?
A No it’s not natural. Q How many top level horses have you
A Luck. Q Do you have a favourite breed or
A
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ridden in your career? Seven
bloodline? Not really.
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