Michael Whitaker
British Ranking: 2
Age: 48
Lives: Nottinghamshire
Michael was raised on his parents’ farm in Yorkshire with his brothers, John, Ian and Steven. They were taught to ride from an early age by their mother who was a keen horsewoman. Michael began riding on his own ponies and soon moved on to horses where his natural ability began to show and he became a strong and determined rider. At just 20 years of age, Michael became the youngest ever winner of the Hickstead Derby – an accomplishment that remains unbeaten to this day. In 1999, Michael was the highest placed British rider in the World Cup Final in 5th position. He then bettered his own record by coming 3rd in 2001. His achievements include 4 Olympic appearance (hopefully a 5th on the way!), 4 Hickstead Derby wins, 4 King George V cup wins and over 100 Nations Cup appearances. Michael won the Zinc Management International Classic and came first in the opening Championships competition at the British Open in 2006. At last year’s event he came 5th in the British Open Show Jumping Championships Round 2, 7th in the BSJA Winter Premier Grand Prix Championship and 8th in the British Open Show Jumping Championship Final.
Recent Major Achievements:
2007 – Member Nations Cup Super League Team; La Baule (Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes); Rotterdam 1st; Rome 1st; Hickstead 2nd.
CSI5* Athens 4th Grand Prix (Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes)
European Bronze Medal GBTeam, Mannheim (Suncal Portofino 63).
Vigo: 1st Masters (Carnaval Path)
2006 – HOYS: 2nd Easibed Stakes (Insul Tech Portofino 63), 2nd Accumulator (Merva des Hayettes)
Syracuse: 1st World Cup qualifier (Portofino 63)
Represented Great Britain in the World Equestrian Games, Aachen (Portofino 63)
Barcelona: 1st Grand Prix (Portofino 63)
2005 – Bordeaux: 1st Speed Class (Renzerin Vd Rampaarden)
Tampa: 1st World Championship Qualifier (Hendel II)
Las Vegas: 2nd FEI World Cup Final (Portofino 63)
Hickstead Derby: 1st Speed Stakes (Renzerin Vd Rampaarden)
Toronto: 1st & 2nd A7 (Merva Des Hayettes)