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Although Ellen Whitaker can’t remember the exact age she started riding, she competed in her first affiliated class at the tender age of five before qualifying for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show at just eight years old.From there Ellen Whitaker strived to be the best and along the way has also unintentionally brought glamour back to the sport. With her striking looks and interest in fashion and photography, it’s no wonder Ellen attracts media attention. She has already been signed by leading equestrian clothing manufacturer Caldene to endorse and model their products. Her style and presence both in and out of the saddle has also won her prestigious awards such as the Longines Ladies Award for Elegance and the British Show Jumping Association’s Personality of the Year.
But these prizes are not Ellen Whitaker’s main priority. As a very competitive sportswoman her sights are firmly set on the London 2012 Olympics. Alongside her Uncles, she was one of the four riders selected to represent Great Britain last August in Germany in the European Championships. This was the country’s last chance to qualify for Beijing and the British chef d’equipe, Derek Ricketts, was taking no chances when he picked this team. In a similar situation to that of Sven Goran Eriksson when he selected young Theo Walcutt for England’s football squad, many people may have criticised Derek’s choice of Ellen Whitaker. As a younger rider she had a lot less experience than the older competitors at his disposal. However, being one of the youngest riders at the Championships didn’t faze Ellen Whitaker. She rose to the challenge and produced a phenomenal performance jumping triple clear and assisting her team in securing the bronze medal and qualification for the 2008 Olympics. Commenting on competing alongside his family and Ellen’s contribution to the team, John Whitaker (MBE) said, “It’s great to have my family around during the Championships. Ellen Whittaker has always been a good, competitive rider. She’s tough but she’s also got a cool head. It was her 2nd round that put us back in the picture (for the Championships).”
I am based at Pye Greave Farm in Yorkshire, ideally situated for the motorway and the landscape lends itself perfectly to getting horses fit. I have been riding ever since I can remember, and my first pony was a brown and white Shetland called Billy. I started competing in affiliated classes when I was five and qualified for HOYS when I was eight.
I had a series of 12.2hh ponies including Tom Thumb who actually belonged to my brother until I pinched him! I rode him in '10 and under' classes. At the same time, I had Bobby Brown who was a speed demon! Current Ruella was next followed by Miami Bound, Street Angel and Savvy Mill, who I came second with at the Pony Europeans. Savvy Mill was my last pony before I moved onto horses.
I have always wanted to be a show jumper, it runs in the family and it seemed like the natural route to take! I've been a member of the British Nations Cup teams since 2004 and was the leading under 21 rider in '05, '06 and '07. Jumping a triple clear in the European Championships in '07 was a career high. The last year or so hasn’t been the best for me but Olympia '08 was the turning point and I am very excited about the future again. I have a good team of horses at the moment, including CS Online, Ocalado, Ladina B, Shearwater Mikado, Ashdale Futuro, Safano, Kanselier and Locarno. 2009 is set to be very busy and I am looking forward to working my way back up the rankings.
I had a tough year in 2008 and a lot of catching up to do in 2009 but I finally feel like I'm getting back to where I was. Winning the Treble (Puissance, Speed Horse and Show Jumper of the Year) at HOYS put me back where I want to be. All my horses should be on form next year and I'm looking forward to hopefully having another successful season in my build towards Olympic selection.
One of Ellen Whitaker's most succesful horses has to be Locarno, the pair bonded very quickly and there is no doubt that Ellen Whitaker and Locarno share a special connection that contributes to their accomplishments. Conversely, earlier this year Ellen Whitaker was looking ahead to a very bleak year due to a dispute with Locarno’s owner. Locarno was originally bought by Ellen Whitaker’s father Steven and a 2nd shareholder who decided that he would like to sell Locarno in order to benefit from his shares. Without the capital to buy Locarno outright it looked as if the stallion would be moved on and one of Britain’s best Olympic potentials would be lost. However, Ellen Whitaker’s father (and trainer) was not going to let the horse go without a fight. Commenting on her European Championship Bronze Team medal, Ellen Whitaker said, “When I lost the ride on Locarno my father was prepared to sell our family farm and give up everything he had ever worked for. All I wanted to do at the Championships was pay him back with a medal.” Thankfully, Mrs Dawn Makin became Ellen Whitaker’s hero when she bought the shares and took on part ownership of Locarno, allowing the partnership to continue their success.
Equestrian News - Ellen Whitaker
Ellen Whitaker Claims British Open Crown
Ellen Whitaker was crowned British Open showjumping champion for the first time on Saturday night after a thrilling finale at the LG Arena in Birmingham. The 24-year-old, from Barnsley, edged her cousin Robert Whitaker into second place, denying hi
Ellen Whitaker Stakes Her Claim
Ellen Whitaker has staked her claim to be crowned the 2010 British Open showjumping champion. The 24-year-old moved into a share of the lead with her cousin Robert Whitaker after two of the four competitions which will decide this year`s overall win
Ellen Whitaker and Kanselier Retain Speed Horse Title at Horse of the Year Show
Ellen Whitaker and Kanselier retained their speed horse title at the Horse of the Year Show, knocking nearly half a second off the time of Ireland`s Cian O`Connor with Baloufina. Paul Barker and Temple Ryefield were best of the four faulters for thir
Ellen Whitaker poised to make history and extend dynasty in style
Ellen Whitaker, aged only 19 aims for British team for this year's senior European Show Jumping Championships. Some are bound to ask whether the Young Riders European Champio
Ellen Whitaker dominates Horse of the Year show
Ellen Whitaker completed her domination of the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC, Birmingham last night when she and Equimax Ocolado won the Leading Show Jumper of the Year with the only double clear round in the event.
Ellen Whitaker, 23, who
Conflict between Ellen Whitaker and Rob Hoekstra
Ellen Whitaker announced that she will refuse to ride for Britain under performance manager Rob Hoekstra. Different opinions regarding the participation at various horse shows must have caused the conflict.
Rob Hoekstra wanted Ellen to take her horse Ocolado to Lummen (29 April – 2 May), but Ellen found that it was too close to La Baule (13 to 16 May). In addition he did not want her to ride at the Newark and Notts County Show before La Ba
Ellen Whitaker speeds to her third title
Ellen Whitaker gained her third success in the Zinc Management Speed Horse competition on the final day of the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham yesterday after a breathtaking performance on her prolific winner, Kanselier. Whitaker, 22, runner-up
Ellen Whitaker is leading show jumper at HOYS
Ellen Whitaker was launched firmly back in the spotlight on the final day of HOYS. After taking the Vinopolis speed horse of the year with the 17-year-old Kanselier in the afternoon, Ellen landed the prestigious leading show jumper of the year grand
Ellen Whitaker jumps to victory at Hickstead
Ellen Whitaker, controversially left out of the Great Britain Olympic showjumping team, emerged from “the most horrible week of her life” to win the Bunn Leisure Derby Salver on Cortaflex Kanselier, her speed horse, on the opening day of the British
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