Whitaker’s Flying High at HOYS

A packed house on the penultimate night of the prestigious Diamond Jubilee Horse of the Year Show wowed crowds with thrilling world-class show jumping combined with the very best of equestrian entertainment. From youngsters to the professional show jumpers, audiences were kept on the edge of their seats throughout the day starting with the Xerox Special Event Service Cup. Michael Whitaker kicked-off the day with a thrilling win on Fairviews Mirabelle D’or. He set an unbeatable time, although Guy Williams on Onyx V was hot on his heels with only 0.01 seconds separating the two maestros. Young talent William Whitaker, took third place on It’s Super Girl in this exciting speed class.

The youngest show jumpers at HOYS competed in the 128cms Championship class which is only open to riders under 12 years of age.  Millie Allen had a truly outstanding round, winning the class on Matthew’s Girl. Amy Inglis took second place on her pony J’s Junior. Third place went to Imogen Pinney riding Show Me Again. Next came the bigger ponies and bigger fences in the HOYS 138cms Championship. With only two in the jump-off, last year’s runner up, Jessica Crosby with Fountain Ranger, stole the limelight in the fastest time of 33.61 seconds. Laura Robinson and Orlando XI’s round was not quite fast enough, with a time of 34.33 seconds and she had to settle for second place. Lara Whiteway riding My Bugsy Malone followed in third place as the fastest rider with four faults. Click here for more HOYS news.

The Whitakers Make History at the British Open

History has been made on the final day of the 2008 British Open Show Jumping Championships. The Championship final saw Robert Whitaker take the coveted title riding Lacroix 9 closely followed by his Uncle, Michael Whitaker, and cousin, William Whitaker, who took second and third places respectively. This the first time there has ever been a Whitaker, or any show jumping relatives, placed first, second and third in any international event and is perhaps a sign of things to come from this extremely talented family. Astonishingly, Robert’s farther John also finished 5th while his cousin Ellen was placed 9th. 

The Whitakers dominated the Championship leader board from the opening leg on Thursday and going into today’s final the famous five were all ranked in the top six. However, Ellen had three fences down and John two which moved them down the list to 9th and 5th. Robert remained in outstanding form with just one fence down in the  final jump off. This scooped him the title with a 2.5 point lead in front of Michael and 4 points ahead of his younger cousin William, who at 18 years-old was the youngest Whitaker in the competition. Robert, who was the inaugural champion in 2003, has now won the competition twice and will this year take home £25,250 for winning the Championship title. Click here for more British Open News.

Christmas Fun at Olympia

After  the  dressage World Cup qualifier at Olympia on Tuesday, The London International Horse Show, it was unanimously agreed that dressage, both on the international and British stage, has moved into a new era.  Anky Van Grunsven, the Olympic, World and European freestyle Champion, presented her brand new freestyle composed by concert pianist Wibi Soerjadi, called ‘Dance of Devotion’ with her golden partner Salinero to take the class by storm and the qualifier, her first this season, by a 7% margin. “It was a great test – although not necessarily foot perfect – but Anky has definitely brought the sport to a higher level than ever before,” said British Olympic judge Stephen Clarke. “What Torvill and Dean did for skating, Anky has done for dressage”.

Having won the opening Welcome Speed Stakes on Kalusha, Robert Whitaker then scooped the BIC Accumulator with Jimmy McLuskeys Mr Springfield, the horse on whom he so nearly won an Olympic medal in 2004. Click here for more Olympia News.

Audrey & Allen Tie the Knot

On Saturday 21st July 2007 Audrey Walker & her partner of 17 years Alan Cole weremarried @ Menheniot Parish Church. The service, conducted by Father Philip Conway, was attended by over 120 relatives, friends and ex-police colleagues of the couple. They emerged from church to the sound of bells and guard of honour by East Cornwall Hunt staff Graham Higgins, Tony Sleep & Harold Semmens. There then followed a great spectacle as The Master blew the horn & escorted the newly weds back home in fine style as they rode on a tractor and trailor festooned with flowers & balloons, driven by Alan's oldest schoolfriend & neighbouring farmer Steven Pearce from Trenodden Farm Doddycross.

 Best man was Nigel Edmonds and bridesmaids were the couple's niece Lucy Roberts and equestrian friends Kirstin McLean and Charlotte and Georgia Brewer. Transport for the bridesmaids was kindly sponsored by Charlotte and Georgia's grandfather Rodney Trudgeon, of Nanpean driving his '1935 Hudson'. Audrey and her bridesmaids were dressed in ivory and gold by Bee Bee Gowns. Click here for more