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William Whitaker, British show jumper
8 May, 2009
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William was born on 26 July 1989 and now lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
He is the latest member of the prolific Whitaker family of professional show jumpers to come into the spotlight.
Nephew of John and Michael, William’s father Ian is the only non-show jumping brother of the family.
William is cousin to Ellen and Robert Whitaker, both of who have established themselves at senior international level in show jumping. The 6’1” teenager 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.
When William left school he trained with American show jumper Aaron Vale who helped him with the move from ponies to horses. On his return to England William worked on Michael’s yard, where he is now based.
William has secured a great number of successes since moving on to horses. In 2006 William was a member of the winning Junior Nations Cup Team and also the European Junior Team who claimed bronze and William secured individual gold.
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. This year Robert competed in the Australian Youth Olympic Final winning a bronze medal at this event.
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Major achievements
2009: Australian Youth Olympic Final Individual Bronze medalist
2008: 3rd Hickstead Derby Meeting; Member of the Young Rider European Bronze Medal Team; 1st Puissance at Olympia
2007: Winner of the Under 23 Classic Young Riders’ Championship at the British Open; Member of the Accenture Young Rider European gold winning team; Member of Young Riders Nations Cup Team claiming first at Compeigne and Carnaval Path; Member Nations Cup Team claiming first at Prague; 3rd Puissance, 2nd Young Riders Championship at HOYS
2006: Member of Winning Junior Nations Cup Team; Member of European Junior Bronze; Medal Winning Team and Individual Gold Medal Winner at Athens; 4th Accumulator at HOYS
2005: Selected for World Class Pre Start Programme; 1st and 2nd Kitt-Kraiburg Junior Show Jumper of the Year at HOYS
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