John Whitaker joked that he “didn’t want to make it too easy” for the younger members of his family as he pipped nephew James to win the Cock O’ the North at the Great Yorkshire Show for the seventh time – 51 years after he first won the prestigious title.
John and his veteran superstar Equine America Unick Du Francport were second-last to go in the seven-strong final round, and as they went in in was James and Just Call Me Henry’s time of 40.7sec that was the one to beat.
John said it was “one of those rounds that everything came off”; they accelerated from the start, 18-year-old “Frank” looking like a horse 10 years younger as they cruised fast and sure, getting a cracking turn to the multicoloured oxer and taking a stride out to the second-last.
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The noise from the crowd was building from the double of walls – and it became a roar as they cleared the final GYS planks to stop the clock on 38.77sec. Last to go Richard Howley and Hornet Des Grange finished a shade in front – but agonisingly tipped the very last fence for four faults.
“It felt really good,” John said. “My plan was just to try to beat James as Call Me Henry and James are very quick and mine isn’t really that quick. I made a plan and just knew I had to do everything from the word go.
“We were quick everywhere and everything came up; every time I turned, I had a stride, and he’s on really good form, which helps. He’s great.”
John added that it was “fantastic” to win the title again.
“It’s just a great show,” he said. “The Cock O’ the North is always an unbelievable atmosphere, and not a spare seat. It’s proper lovely, nice jumping.”
And asked what James said afterwards, John said “he didn’t say a lot, really!”
“I don’t want to make it too easy for the younger guys!” he said.
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