The Whitaker family of showjumpers has been the backbone of the sport for nearly half a century.

The famous sporting dynasty stems from the late Donald Whitaker, a Yorkshire farmer, and his wife Enid Whitaker, a keen horsewoman, and it is through their four sons, John, Michael, Ian and Steven, that the legendary Whitaker showjumping name was made.

Here is a complete Who’s Who of the famous Whitaker family.

The Whitaker family Who’s Who

Family of John Whitaker, married to Clare Whitaker

John Whitaker (born 1955) is the oldest of the four brothers and has been at the top of the sport for five decades, winning 21 championship medals, including with the mighty Milton. He and wife Clare have three children, Louise, Robert and Joanne Whitaker, all of whom compete internationally.

Louise Whitaker

John and Clare’s eldest daughter Louise (born 1980) is now a highly respected producer of young horses, married to Ian Turner with two children, Harvey and Sienna.

Robert Whitaker

John and Clare’s son Robert (born 1983) regularly competes at five-star level showjumping and is a British team rider and Hickstead Derby winner. He and wife Kate have two young daughters, Evie and Millie, both of whom are keen young riders.

Joanne Whitaker

The youngest of John and Clare’s children, Joanne (born 1987) is also a hugely talented rider, producing many top horses in their early years.

Family of Steven Whitaker, married to Carole Whitaker

Steven Whitaker (born 1957) also competed in showjumping to international level and now runs an equestrian business with son Joe. He and Carole have four children, Ellen, Joe, Thomas and Donald Whitaker, all of whom are international showjumpers.

Ellen Whitaker

Steven and Carole’s eldest daughter Ellen Whitaker (born 1986) is a very successful international rider and has made her name winning some of the world’s biggest grands prix. She has two sons, Harry and Frankie, with her former partner Antonio Marinas Soto.

Joe Whitaker

Steven and Carole’s second child Joe (born 1988) has also jumped on British teams, as well as riding as a National Hunt jockey. He is married to Fiona and they have four children, Sophia, Stevie Joe, Emily and Bonnie.

Thomas Whitaker

The third of Steven and Carole’s children, Tom Whitaker (born 1990) runs his own business, Tom Whitaker Equestrian, buying, selling and producing horses as well as competing internationally and teaching.

Donald Whitaker

The youngest of Steven and Carole’s four children, Donald Whitaker (born 1992) is named after his grandfather, the late patriarch of the Whitaker clan, and he is making a real name for himself on the international circuit, currently based in Germany with girlfriend German team rider Nicola Pohl.

Family of Michael Whitaker, married to Melissa Whitaker

Michael Whitaker (born 1960) is the third son of Enid and Donald, following in the footsteps of his oldest brother John to become one of the greatest showjumpers in the world, winning 15 championship medals and the Hickstead Derby four times. He and Melissa have three children, Jack, Molly and Katy.

Jack Whitaker

Jack Whitaker (born 2001) is one of the brightest young stars in showjumping, having won individual gold at the pony European Championships and he is representing the Whitaker family showjumping dynasty as a regular competitor on the five-star circuit.

Family of Ian Whitaker, married to Alison Whitaker

Although he’s a knowledgeable horseman, Ian is the only brother who followed the farming route rather than becoming a professional showjumper. He and his wife Alison have nevertheless passed on the jumping genes as all three of their sons, William, George and James, are involved in the sport.

William Whitaker

The oldest son of Ian and Alison, William (born 1989) is another member of the Whitaker family to represent Great Britain on showjumping teams, as well as jumping to victory in grands prix and he has won the Hickstead Derby. He is married to Elisabeth Whitaker and they have three children, Isabella, Oliver and Evelyn.

George Whitaker

William’s younger brother George (born 1992) is another successful showjumper from the family competing at both national and international level. He is married to fellow showjumper Michaela Whitaker and the couple run Dallamires Stables together. Their young daughter Gracie May is achieving great success in the show ring.

James Whitaker

The youngest son of Ian and Alison, Jim (born 1997) is a regular winner on the national circuit and Queen’s Cup victor, producing some top class horses from his base in Yorkshire. He married Isabella in 2024.

Then we mustn’t forget international rider Joe Clayton, who is a second cousin of the Whitakers and was based with Michael Whitaker in his early days.

It’s quite some family – no wonder the Whitakers have become showjumping royalty!

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Making the headlines on the international showjumping circuit this week were a phenomenal Frenchman in the form of his life and the all-conquering Peder Fredricson, while Great Britain’s George Whitaker credits “going back to basics” with Martin Wood’s brilliant nine-year-old Peanut for their grand prix victory in the Netherlands. Here are just some of this week’s highlights, plus showjumping results.

A 1.92m six-bar thriller

At the CSI5* IFEMA Madrid Horse Week in Spain, Dutch showjumper Maikel van der Vleuten triumphed in the six-bar riding the 11-year-old Toulon mare Dywis HH (main image above). The 10 starters were whittled down to just two for the fourth round where the final vertical stood at a towering 1.92m (over 6ft 3in) and Maikel claimed victory with another clear while his sole rival, the world number two Martin Fuchs, picked up four faults on Commissar Pezi.

• Madrid six-bar showjumping results

George Whitaker and Peanut return to the top

Great Britain’s George Whitaker rode Martin Wood’s brilliant nine-year-old Peanut to victory in a hard-fought CSI2* Deurne 1.45m grand prix at new jumping venue Green Valley Estate in the Netherlands. The pair swooped home just 0.08sec quicker than their nearest rivals after a 13-strong jump-off.

In a tremendous few days of competition, George and Peanut (Barichello x Quasimodo Z) also finished runners-up in Friday’s ranking class and the 30-year-old rider also finished in the ribbons on Caroline Blatchford’s I’m Special Too DHH, a previous ride for his cousin Robert Whitaker, and jumped some lovely rounds with Louise McEvoy’s stallion Porsche, who is now off to spend some time at stud.

“It was amazing, Peanut jumped five rounds and didn’t have a fence down,” George told H&H, having used his last draw in the grand prix to his advantage. “I knew what I had to beat and there were only three double clears but there were some very fast times with a few fences down.

“It was a tough course, there were either killer turns or if you went round it was a bit far. But I know Peanut is unbelievably quick across the ground so I thought I’m not even going to attempt the killer turns, I’m going to get in a good rhythm, give it full speed and just make it as easy as possible for him, without overcooking it.

“The bogey fence was the double in the jump-off and half the riders had that down but then I knew I could go full tilt after that and it paid off.

“I always say with Peanut that if I’m in the jump-off I have a very good chance.”

George explained that, after picking up a few unexpected faults with Peanut the previous week, he’d gone back to basics and the results were clear to see.

“It was a bit upsetting last week and I was wondering what had happened, so I sat down with my wife Michaela and said ‘I think I’m trying too hard here, let’s go back to basics, to what we know Peanut is comfortable at, don’t overdo it and just get him confident again’. So I did some training at the show, got him working with me and he came out fighting once again. I was on a lot better form myself I think – I was riding better and the two of us just came together again,” explained George.

“Sometimes you can just try too hard. I know we can both do it, I just needed to find the right buttons again. Then it was just natural again. Luckily it was my week this week!”

• CSI2* Deurne results

Lucky new jackets help Peder Fredricson spearhead an H&M hat-trick

At the H&M-sponsored grand prix at the CSI4* Sweden International Horse Show, the podium was filled by three of the company’s sponsored riders. Peder Fredricson was crowned the winner riding H&M Christian K, while the Philippaerts twins also secured second and third in the H&M colours. Olivier took second on H&M Miro with Nicola in third riding H&M Luna Van’t Ruytershof Z, all separated by barely a second.

“We just got these new jackets and they seem to be working well!” said Peder on the trio’s striking competition wear. “Everyone should have one!”

Peder, who will be heading to the London International Horse Show next month, added of the 15-year-old gelding H&M Christian K (pictured below): “He’s a real fighter.”

The sole British challenger in Sunday’s feature class was John Whitaker, who just picked up four faults in the opening round on Equine America Unick Du Francport after some good placings over the weekend. Ireland’s Bertram Allen won Saturday’s speed class on the smart eight-year-old Empoli De Champloue.

Other Swedish riders in form at the show were the world number one Henrik von Eckermann, who secured a winning double with the 10-year-old gelding Hollywood V, and Stephanie Holmen, who triumphed in Friday’s 1.50m jump-off class with the 16-year-old mare Flip’s Little Sparrow. The show’s leading rider prize was won by Olivier Philippaerts, who took home a John Deere Gator HPX.

• Sweden International Horse Show results

Julien Epaillard is simply unstoppable

French showjumper Julien Epaillard’s astounding winning streak continued to the CSI5* IFEMA Madrid Horse Week where he galloped to a big-class double, winning Friday’s 1.50m jump-off class then also lifting the silverware for Sunday’s Longines FEI World Cup qualifier, which he also won the previous year, with two brilliant performances with the extraordinary 10-year-old mare Caracole De La Roque.

“Winning is always very difficult and a streak like this only happens once in a sporting career,” said the world number three, who won the third leg of the World Cup series in Lyon last month. “I have an incredible mare and I’m lucky to be able to ride her. I have to enjoy the moment.

“I’m very proud of Caracole. She has jumped two World Cups and she has won two World Cups – she’s amazing!’

Taking the runner up spot was Daniel Deusser of Germany riding Bingo Ste Hermelle, with Simon Delestre third on Cayman Jolly Jumper. Ben Maher finished best of the Brits in fifth, the fastest of the four-faulters riding the Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright-owned 13-year-old Exit Remo after an exhilarating 15-strong jump-off.

Italian rider Piergiorgio Bucci made a remarkable recovery from a serious stumble in the jump-off to finish fourth. His brilliant gelding Cochello just pecked on landing after the penultimate oxer, pinging his rider right up on to his neck and the pair looked as though they were about to part company. However a stride later, Piergiorgio was pitched back in the saddle and he kicked on, clearing the hefty final vertical without stirrups to finish with a double clear and earn a substantial slice of the prize money.

• Madrid Horse Week results

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At Breen Equestrian’s first jumping auction, hosted by Shane and Chloe Breen at Hickstead on 30 August, a total of 11 young horses went under the hammer, attracting strong bidding under the guidance of auctioneer Nick Brooks-Ward and plenty of interest from around the world.

The night’s top lot was the seven-year-old stallion Z7 Porsche, by the great sire Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Conchita. The stunning youngster, owned by Breen Equestrian and Team Z7, has been ridden to great success by Georgia Tame, Shane and Trevor Breen, and most recently Patrick Hickey, winning the seven-year-old finals in Abu Dhabi and at Northcote this year.

The exciting young stallion has also qualified for the Foxhunter final at this year’s Horse of the Year Show and was sold with the ticket to the prestigious championship.

Bred in Belgium by Jan De Plecker, Z7 Porsche shares bloodlines with some of the sport’s best performers including McLain Ward’s Kasper Van Het Hellehof, Paul O’Shea’s Imerald Van’t Voorhof and Jos Verlooy’s world championship ride Igor.

After a volley of bids from USA and Canada, the seven-year-old was sold for £230,000 to former rider Louise McEvoy who has sent her new purchase to George and Michaela Whitaker at Dallamires Stables (pictured below).

“It was love at first sight!” Louise told H&H of Z7 Porsche. “I wasn’t able to be at the auction in person, so I watched and bid online. Canada and the United States were against me and I really wasn’t sure how it was going to go. It was a great feeling when the hammer finally dropped, knowing that a stallion of Porsche’s calibre would be staying in the UK.”

Breen Equestrian jumping auction: ‘The collection was second to none’

Louise has bought showjumping youngsters previously from European jumping auctions but had been on the lookout for a slightly older competition stallion to help her pursue her breeding interests.

“I saw a few I liked on the Continent, but none who blew my socks off – which is my benchmark!” she said. “I think with a stallion it is especially important for them to be exceptional in all respects. I was, therefore, really excited when Shane Breen – someone who I admire enormously – announced he was going to be hosting a new elite auction in the UK.

“The collection of horses he put forward were second to none, and I think proves he is true to his word when he says that, whatever level, Breen Equestrian horses are for sale.”

Louise chose to send the stallion to the “exceptionally talented” husband and wife team of George and Michaela Whitaker to continue his highly promising showjumping career.

“Their facilities are fantastically well appointed and I know Porsche will receive the very best of everything there,” she said. “The short-term plan is to get organised for HOYS, which is just around the corner. After which he will continue his competition career with George and also be available for stallion duties.

“I’ve always loved buying at auctions and am completely devoid of nerves when it comes to the bidding process – I only wish the same were true when it comes to watching my horses compete! For me, that’s the most difficult part of all!”

Several Breen Equestrian home-breds were included in the auction and the seven-year-old BE Golden – by Shane’s Hickstead Derby runner-up Golden Hawk out of his Queen’s Cup winner Zarnita – and half-sister BE Coolham, by Cuick Star Kervec, were both bought by Deckers Sporthorses in the Netherlands.

The six-year-old BE Sunshine, another by Golden Hawk, was snapped up by Chris Warren for £26,000.

“BE Sunshine has everything and more we could hope for, and looks to have all the attributes to make a top showjumper,” said Chris. “I thought the evening was a great showcase for Breen Equestrian as it brought together a great group of horses in a fantastic evening – we are looking forward to the next.”

Breen Equestrian jumping auction results

• Lot 1: 5yo gelding BE Top-Sekret (by Cornet Obolensky) £28,000 (Canada)
• Lot 2: 5yo mare BE Coolham (by Cuick Star Kervec) £42,000 (auction floor, Netherlands)
• Lot 3: 6yo gelding BE Sunshine (by Golden Hawk) £26,000 (auction floor, UK)
• Lot 4: 7yo stallion Z7 Porsche (by Emerald) £230,000 (UK)
• Lot 5: 5yo gelding Rivell PS (by Vigo D’Arsouilles) £42,000 (Germany)
• Lot 6: 6yo mare Certified (by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet) £43,000 (Canada)
• Lot 7: 7yo mare BE Blue I (by Plot Blue) £30,000 (auction floor)
• Lot 8: 5yo gelding BE Flygold (by Stakkato Gold) £18,000 (auction floor)
• Lot 9: 6yo mare Ballyvogue Freedom (by Balloon) £18,000 (Canada)
• Lot 10: 7yo mare Cinderella Z II (by Comfilo Plus Z) £130,000 (auction floor)
• Lot 11: 7yo gelding BE Golden (by Golden Hawk) £145,000 (auction floor, Netherlands)

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A year ago, George Whitaker rode his father-in-law’s brilliant nine-year-old Peanut to victory on the opening day of the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour and he repeated the feat on Friday (19 August) to take the hard-fought CSI2* 1.25m Martin Collins London Cup for the second year running.

Martin Wood’s nine-year-old gelding by Barichello scorched round the London LGCT ring under a meticulously judged ride from 30-year-old George to beat a strong field of 45 by a clear margin of 1.5sec. Angela Thompson took the runner-up spot on Steyburn, while Nina Barbour claimed third on the 11-year-old Ardis on a busy first day of competition at the London LGCT.

“I’m planning to jump him in the grand prix [on Sunday] but he’s such a careful horse that sometimes he needs a round just to get him going forward,” explained George. “It was perfect really – he didn’t think he was going flat out either, which is the best way for him to be.

“I was originally planning to have a steady round, but just before I went in I changed my tactics a bit and thought I’ll just get him in a very good rhythm and stay in it – the shot was there at every fence, so it worked out very well.”

London LGCT: a runaway victory

This is George and Peanut’s second success on the LGCT circuit this year, having also won at the Monaco leg in June.

“He wins nearly every time he goes out,” said George. “We don’t do masses at home with him, he’s very easy to deal with. It’s just about trying to keep him happy and fresh really, if he feels confident you’re halfway there with him. If he feels like he’s having to try hard, that’s when you struggle.”

George’s wife Michaela – the pair finally got married in September after Covid delayed their big day – finished third in the opening class at the London LGCT behind winner Aisling Byrne. The couple have been building up their own Dallamires Stables, with about 60 horses stabled at their base near Harrogate.

“I actually haven’t got that many older horses,” explained George. “Peanut is my best horse, then I’ve got a couple of eight-year-olds, a nice seven-year-old, then the rest are five and younger. We started four years ago, buying young ones, and we’ve always got something to sell, then something to replace the ones we do sell. It’s very expensive now to go out and buy a good horse, so we’re trying to create them ourselves.

“Michaela sells a lot of ponies to America, but we sell a lot of horses there too, nice amateur horses in particular. It’s got a bit more difficult since Brexit, but actually that’s made the market better in Britain, people are buying more here.”

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George Whitaker is among six riders to be selected for the prestigious Athenaeum Riders Academy, a programme founded in 2014 under the patronage of the European Equestrian Federation that gives talented young European showjumpers between the ages of 18 and 23 the chance to spend six months training at a top stable.

One of the first graduates of the programme is young Irish star Bertram Allen, who finished third in last month’s World Cup Final.

“I heard about the academy through the World Class Development Squad [of which he is a member] and thought it looked like a brilliant opportunity,” George told H&H. “Fortunately I had a really good time at one of the selection shows in Lummen [Belgium, 10-11 April], where the three horses I took were all well placed [he came third and fourth in the CSI3*with Willeton and Loki], so it worked out very well for me.”

The 23-year-old, who is the nephew of showjumpers John and Michael Whitaker, the younger brother of William and cousin to Ellen and Robert, is yet to learn where he will be spending his six-month stint, but Kevin Staut, Ludger Beerbaum, Gerco Schroder and Ralf Goran Bengtsson are among the top riders offering training.

“I would love to spend the time at any of these yards,” continued George. “People pay thousands of pounds to go and train at places like these, so to be given the opportunity to go for free is amazing.”

When selecting their winners, as well as ability and potential in the saddle, the assessors – who included Dirk Demeersman, Otto Becker and Emile Hendrix – also looked at the candidates’ profiles, attitude and motivation.

In addition to top class training, the winner will also receive education in communication, business and economics, plus veterinary and legal practice related to showjumping.

The other riders selected for this year are: Adrian Van Gelderen (Belgium), Jonathan Gordon (Ireland), Nicole Holmen (Sweden), Irma Karlsson (Sweden) and Margeaux Rocuet (France).

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British showjumper George Whitaker was born on 9 June 1992 and is based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

He is the nephew of showjumpers John and Michael Whitaker, the younger brother of William and cousin to Ellen and Robert.

George has had a particularly successful 2012. He claimed the CSI** Grand Prix Comporta, Portugal in February and the CSI*** Grand Prix Maubeuge, France in April with his long standing partner Tubana.

After moving up 123 places in the Rolex rankings, from 354 position to 231, George was named the Rolex “one to watch” for May 2012.

An early triumph came for George in 2007 when he took The Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year at HOYS. In the same year he was named as a member of the John Whitaker International Pony Squad.

In 2008 he was part of the gold medal-winning Pony European team in Avenches, Switzerland, where he also claimed individual gold with The Colour of Money.

George came first in Hagen, Germany in 2010 riding Tubana, as a member of the Tretorn Nations Cup team.

And in 2011, George picked up a bronze medal as part of the Tretorn Young Rider European team in Comporta, Portugal.

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Showjumper George Whitaker has been named the Rolex “one to watch” for May – after moving up 123 places from 354 position to 231 in the Rolex rankings.

George, 19, has had a successful year claiming victory in the CSI** Grand Prix Comporta in Portugal and the CSI*** Grand Prix Maubeuge in France with his 11-year-old mare, Tubana.

George, who is based in Yorkshire, is brother of showjumper William and cousin to Ellen and Robert.

George said: “I was talking about it with my brother and my cousin and we all said you must have to do some serious winning. I’m over the moon.”

Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson remains number one in the Rolex rankings for the fifth month in a row.

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British pony teams returned home victorious yesterday (28 July) from the pony European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland (24-27 July) with a clutch of gold and silver medals.

The John Whitaker International pony show jumping team won team gold, finishing on a total of just nine faults, ahead of the Netherlands on 15.

The team was made up of George Whitaker (The Colour Of Money), Pippa Allen (Spot The Lady), James Smith (Mr Nice Guy) and Emma Stoker (Peron III).

British young riders have an outstanding medal tally at the Pony European Championships. They have won 11 team gold medals and one team silver in the past 12 years.

Sixteen-year-old George Whitaker from West Yorkshire also took individual gold with Christopher McSharry’s 10-year-old gelding The Colour Of Money.

Ending on a total of five faults, George finished ahead of Germany’s Maurice Betttle and Giovanni with nine faults.

In the pony eventing European Championship the Derby House British team took silver, just behind Germany.

The squad was made up of Gina Ruck (Ice Cool Bailey), Eliza Stoddart (Killacorran Blue), Ella McEwen (Catherston Nutsafe), Althea Bleekman (Nightgirl 002) and individual Helen Dunning (Glenayre Bay Surf).

Gina, Eliza and Ella all jumped clear.

In the dressage championships the team of Natasha Leak (De Vito) Olivia Kuropatwa (Kastanienhof’s Vitus), Roberta Hayler (Nanos) and Amy Woodhead (Languard 4) came sixth.

Germany took the top slot with The Netherlands second. Denmark took bronze and Belgium were fifth.

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The high standard of jumping continued on the final day of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), where 15-year-old George Whitaker rode into the record books on Miami Bound.

This little grey pony captured the Leading Junior Show Jumper of the year title for George’s cousin, Thomas, last year, but no pony had before taken the most coveted title in junior jumping in consecutive years.

The course proved extremely tough and many of the favourites went out. Eventually only two reached the jump-off, where George took on Jessie Drea on her home-produced Quantum Light.

Cheered on by older brother William — plus the rest of the huge Whitaker clan — George produced a stunning jump-off round. Miami Bound does not have a huge stride, but he is careful and scopey and, on the instructions of the pony’s owner, George’s uncle, Steven, they pulled off some terrific turns.

“I then went and hid while Jessie jumped,” said George.

And it was a good job he did. Jessie was way up on the clock on the long gallop to the final fence, but Quantum Light got a little too close and rolled the top pole for second place.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do was a lap of honour under the spotlights here,” said George. “The only trouble was that it went too fast!”

On the opening day, local rider Mennell Watson finished runner-up in the seven-year-old final on Halida Du Rouet. He and the home-bred mare went one place better today, taking the Top Tack Grade C title after a classy nine-horse jump-off.

“She deserved that. It somehow makes things even better when you’ve watched horses since they were foals,” he said.

Ben Maher took the opening two-phase, a class named in honour of the late Ann Martin, who reported on international show jumping for Horse & Hound for many years.

Ben cut every corner on the scopey stallion Gem Of India, who reduced the standard set by Welshman Lee Williams on Little Emir by almost 2sec.

Stay in touch with the latest news from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk and ready H&H’s full report in next week’s magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

George Whitaker jumped into contention at the Pony European Viewing Trials at Kenyon EC after pulling off superb wins in both trials on Miami Bound.

Maintaining their form from Unex Towerlands, Zoe Adams and VIP Tixylix also put in a solid clear to take second place, while Danielle Willett (Gold Harvest), Pippa Allen (Spot The Lady) and James Smith (Mr Nice Guy) were also clear.

George and Miami Bound put up another flawless display to win the third day’s jump-off class by 1sec. Last year’s team gold medallists Rebecca Roe and Aroldo took second place with an immaculate round. Jordan Whittaker and Edsillia finished third ahead of Danielle Willett and Gold Harvest in fourth, while Laura Neilson riding Micklow Madness took fifth.

Read this report in full, including details of who won what in the Horse of the Year Show qualifying competitions, in tomorrow’s Horse & Hound (7 June, ’07)

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