‘I didn’t expect to win that!’: borrowed horse comes up trumps for John Whitaker at London Horse Show

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John Whitaker and Green Grass winning the two-phase at London Horse Show
John Whitaker riding Green Grass during Two Phase jumping competition (Class 06) at The London International Horse Show at the ExCel London in the UK, on the 16th December 2021
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Friday’s CSI5* two-phase jumping class at London International Horse Show was won by early-drawn John Whitaker riding Paul Barker’s talented home-bred stallion Green Grass.

“I definitely didn’t expect to win that!” said John after producing a lightning-quick round on the nine-year-old son of Luidam. “I thought I could finish in the first five, but when you’re first to go you usually expect to get beaten.”

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.