Top British showjumper expecting first baby
The showjumping circuit is set to have another member of it’s most famous family among its ranks as Ellen Whitaker has announced she is pregnant with her first child.
“My boyfriend Toni and I are expecting our first baby on 4 May and we are so happy,” Ellen said in a statement.
“We can’t wait to be parents and although it means I’ll be taking a short break I expect to be back in the saddle again later this summer.”
Ellen is the daughter of Steven Whitaker, John and Michael’s brother. Ellen competed at her first affiliated show at the age 5 and by the time she was 8 she had qualified for Horse of the Year Show.
Ellen has had many successes since, including winning the Hickstead Speed Derby in 2007 and 2010 and finishing second to her uncle John in the 2004 Hickstead Derby.
The new arrival will join the Whitaker equestrian dynasty in which there are already 13 nieces and nephews who are all involved with horses.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.