Whitaker crowned leading rider in Toronto

Michael Whitaker’s success across the Atlantic continued in Canada last week, where he was crowned the Leading International Rider at CSI-W Toronto.

Following his triumph in the Syracuse World Cup Qualifier last weekend in America, Michael notched up a number of placings in international competition in Toronto to lift the leading rider title.

His placings included winning the National Steel Car Four Bar Challenge on Insul Tech Up To Date 8, second in the Jolera Gamblers Choice Topscore (Insul Tech Quidame des Hayettes), sixth in the CN World Cup Grand Prix (Insul Tech Portofino 63) and fourth place in the world famous Ricoh Big Ben Challenge (Insul Tech Portofino 63).

Michael’s success in North America puts him at the head of the Western European League FEI World Cup jumping leaderboard on 41 points. In second is FEI WEG team gold medalist Gerco Schroder on 37 points, with Beat Mandli in third.

Schroder rode Eurocommerce Milano into first place in round three of the series in Verona at the weekend, ahead of his compatriot Leopold Van Asten (VDL Groep Fleche Rouge) and Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Shutterfly).

Ellen Whitaker is the only other British rider currently in the top 20 of the Western European League of the FEI World Cup in equal 11th on 15 points.

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