Robert Whitaker back in the saddle after missing HOYS due to ill health
Robert Whitaker is back in the saddle after abandoning competition at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) earlier this month (7-11 October).
The British showjumper fell unwell and was unable to compete in his classes as planned.
Robert had high blood pressure but told H&H he is now feeling in good health and is back in training as usual.
“I’m fine, I’ve started riding again now,” he said on 21 October.
“I just had a high blood pressure for some reason, but it seems to be ok now.”
Robert, whose father is John Whitaker, was due to jump in the Addington Manor talent seekers and Connolly’s Red Mills senior newcomers championship on 7 October.
John stood in for his son in the talent seekers riding Hold On Tight II, finishing fourth.
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Phillip Miller rode Noble Warrior for Robert in the newcomers championship. The pair had four faults in the first round.
Robert has had a successful year to date.
In May, the 32-year-old helped take the British team to victory in the Nations Cup in Italy.
“It was absolutely fantastic. My job is made very easy by having a fantastic squad of riders, who were fabulous today,” said team performance manager Di Lampard at the time.
On 28 June he won the Equerry Horse Feeds CSI4* at Bolesworth International riding USA Today.
“I had quite a good draw today and it worked well for me. There weren’t many jumping clears in the jump off and it did take a bit of jumping,” he told H&H at the show.
“Today suited him as there were lots of tight turns there in the jump off and he’s so careful.”
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.