Whitaker in World Cup SJ final
Michael Whitaker is the only British rider to have qualified for the 2004 FEI World Cup show jumping final, which is being held in Milan, Italy later this month.
Michael will be riding Handel II, Portofino 63 and First Samuel in the three-leg competition on Thursday 22, Friday 23 and Sunday 25 April for the prestigious indoor world title.
Robert Smith and Richard Davenport had hoped to join Michael in Milan, but unfortunately a last-ditch attempt to qualify at Gothenburg at the weekend didn’t come off.
The current British number one will be aiming to match the performance of his brother John, who took the World Cup title in 1990 and 1991 with his infamous partner Milton. To achieve this impressive feat Michael will have to beat the current titleholder, Marcus Ehning, as well as top show jumpers from 12 leagues around the world.
The 47-strong international field includes 20 riders from the highly competitive Western European league, which was won by Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, ahead of the Brazilian former World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa.
Former world number one rider Markus Fuchs has been awarded a wild card entry to the event after a thigh muscle injury sidelined him from competitions for five weeks during the qualification period.
The complete list of riders who have qualified for the event are:
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Title holder
- Marcus Ehning GER
Western European league
- Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER
- Ludo Philippaerts BEL
- Otto Becker GER
- Rolf-Göran Bengtsson SWE
- Malin Baryard SWE
- Marco Kutscher GER
- Thomas Velin DEN
- Jos Lansink BEL
- Bruno Broucqsault FRA
- Helena Weinberg GER
- Eric van der Vleuten NED
- Toni Hassmann GER
- Michael Whitaker GBR
- Christophe Barbeau SUI
- Wim Schroeder NED
- Hubert Bourdy FRA
- Jeroen Dubbeldam NED
- Eugénie Angot FRA
- Rodrigo Pessoa BRA
- Peter Wylde USA
Central European League
- Gunnar Klettenberg EST
- Sencer Can TUR
- Grzegorz Kubiak POL
USA East Coast League
- Molly Ashe USA
- McLain Ward USA
- Laura Linback USA
- Beezie Madden-Patton USA
- Margie Goldstein-Engle USA
- Chris Kappler USA
- Norman Dello Joio USA
USA West Coast League
- Richard Spooner USA
- Nicole Simpson USA
- John French USA
Canadian League
- Ainsley Vince CAN
- Ian Millar CAN
- Yann Candele FRA
South American League
- Marcelo Lemes de Souza BRA
- Lionel Collard-Bovy ARG
South African League
- Dominey Alexander RSA
Central Asian League
- Alexander Tishkov KAZ
South East Asian League
- Qabil Ambak MAS
Japan League
- Takamichi Mashiyama JPN
Australian League
- Chris Chugg AUS
- Tim Amitrano AUS
New Zealand League
- Sally Steiner NZL
Extra riders from organising federation
- Juan Carlos Garcia ITA
- Jerry Smit ITA
For more details visit the World Cup Final website: www.worldcupmilano2004.com
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
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.