Robert Whitaker
As the son of three-times Olympic showjumper John Whitaker MBE and with countless family members taking part in the sport, there was never any doubt about what Robert Whitaker’s career would be. He lived up to the Whitaker name in style from the start, winning six European team golds medals and an individual bronze at European pony, junior and young rider championships. He has represented his country on senior Nations Cup teams on more than 25 occasions and was among the British riders long-listed for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Meet Robert
Born: 26 January 1983 in Yorkshire
Family: Wife Kate and daughters Evie and Millie
Best current horse: Catwalk
Best ever horse: Lacroix
Horse I would love to ride: McLain Ward’s mare HH Azur. She’s something else
Equestrian hero: Ludger Beerbaum
Best ever win: The grand prix in Madrid on Nicolette
Equestrian ambition: To be world number one. The Olympics would be good too
Alternative career: I haven’t a clue, but it would have to involve making money!
Did you know?
Robert has spent time training in Germany with his idol Ludger Beerbaum
He holds the world record for the bareback puissance. In 2011 in Stockholm, he cleared a 2.12m wall riding Waterstone without a saddle
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