HONG KONG - FEBRUARY 21: John Whitaker on Argento competes during Longines Grand Prix at the Longines Masters of Hong Kong on 21 February 2016 at the Asia World Expo in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
John Whitaker is facing a month on the sidelines after fracturing his collarbone in a fall at Gothenburg Horse Show in Sweden last week (3 April).
“It’s not really that painful, it’s just annoying because I can’t do stuff and I can’t ride at the moment,” 63-year-old John told H&H.
“So I’m just trying to take it easy for a bit, but depending how quick it heals, the doctor said it would be four weeks before I can ride again.”
John was riding the 17-year-old Argento in the opening 1.40m speed class of the show — which also hosted the Longines FEI World Cup Final, won by Steve Guerdat — when they took a crunching fall at an oxer.
“It was just one of those stupid things,” said John. “I wasn’t really trying to win the class, I was just going for a nice round and he anticipated the turn a little bit and caught the wing — because he’s so careful he didn’t put his legs down.
“I didn’t fall badly either, it was just the way I caught my shoulder. It was the first class of the show, so I finished before I started! It’s a really good show and I haven’t been for a few years, so I had really been looking forward to it.”
Continues below…
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“Archie” was uninjured in the fall and, according to John, the Arko III stallion and all his other top horses will be kept busy during this enforced absence.
“We might stand Argento for a few weeks with the fresh semen,” he said. “Depending how long I’m going to be out of action for, he’ll stay in work — hopefully it’s not going to be long anyway!”
Don’t miss the full report from the Longines FEI World Cup final in this week’s Horse & Hound, out Thursday 11 April.
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
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.
