Whitaker John

GB
1955-08-05
VALKENSWAARD UNITED
FEI ID0189879

Biography

John and his brother Michael are two of the most famous names in British showjumping - largely due to the partnership between John and his famous grey Milton. John began riding at the age of six on the family farm and got his first taste of competition at eight years old. His mother Enid was keen on riding and his father Donald had working horses on the farm. He and his brother Michael used to deliver milk by horse and cart before they went to school, and he was also allowed to stay up late to watch equestrian events on television.

John achieved huge success winning medals at the World and European Championships during the 1980s and 1990s and Silver at the LA Olympics in 1984. One of his most famous horses was Milton, the first show jumping horse to win more than £1 million in prize money and one of the most loved and recognised horses is the history of show jumping.

John received an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen in 2007. He has competed in 39 major international championships collecting 24 medals. Incredibly, John returned to showjumping just one year after suffering a  life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2000. 

Fast Facts

1980 World Championship Individual and Team Silver medallist with Ryan's Son

1982 World Championship Team Bronze with Ryan's Son

1983 European Team and Individual Silver medallist with Ryan's Son

1984 Olympic Team Silver medallist with Ryan's Son

1985 European Individual Bronze medallist with N.Hopscotch

1986 World Championship Team Bronze with N.Hopscotch

1989 European Team and Individual Gold medallist with Milton

1990 World Championship Individual Silver and Team Bronze medallist with Milton

European Team Silver medallist - 1991, 1995

Competed in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games

Competed in the 1994 and 2006 World Championships

1998 World Championship Team Bronze medallist with Heyman

European Team Bronze medallist - 2011, 2007, 1997

Competed in 21 FEI World Cup Finals, winning in 1990 and 1991

2014 LGCT Lausanne Grand Prix Silver medallist with Argento

2015 LGCT Monaco Grand Prix Silver medallist with Argento

2015 LGCT London Grand Prix Silver medallist with Argento 

Results

2025
Rank Competition Horse €
6 National 1.00m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 GCL of Monaco - Round 1, Individual Competition, 1.55m Sharid 57000 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.30m, Table A Against The Clock Sharid 3500 EUR
6 National 0.85m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 National 0.7m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.30m, Table A Against The Clock with Jump Off, Prix Institut Esthederm Sharid 5000 EUR
6 GCTV Post Studio - LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco Sharid 0 EUR
6 Warm Up 5* Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.15m, Table A 2 Phase Special, PRIX VIP ENERGY Sharid 1500 EUR
6 GCL of Monaco - Round 1, Team Competition Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.40m, Table A Against The Clock No Jump Off Sharid 4500 EUR
6 National 0.70m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 National 0.90m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.45m, Table A Against The Clock with Jump Off, Grand Prix Institut Esthederm Sharid 25000 EUR
6 National 0.70m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.25m, Table A 2 Phase Special Sharid 2500 EUR
6 GCL of Monaco - Round 2, Individual Competition, 1.60m Sharid 106000 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.15m, Table A Against The Clock, PRIX NIKKI BEACH MONTE CARLO Sharid 2000 EUR
6 CSI5* 1.45m, Table A 2 Phase Sharid 28200 EUR
6 National 1.00m presented by PRIX FEPM - CAVALLERIA TOSCANA Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI5* 1.45m, Table A Against The Clock No Jump Off, Trophée Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer - Casino de Monte Carlo Sharid 28200 EUR
6 National 0.80m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.40m, Table A Against The Clock No Jump Off Sharid 3500 EUR
6 National 1.00m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 CSI5* 1.50m, Table A Against The Clock With Jump Off, Prix Fédération Equestre de la Principauté de Monaco Sharid 56800 EUR
6 National 1.00m presented by PRIX FEPM - CAVALLERIA TOSCANA Sharid 0 EUR
6 GCTV Pre Studio - LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco Sharid 0 EUR
36 GCL of Monaco - Round 2, Team Competition Equine America Unick du Francport 0 EUR
6 National 1.00m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 GCTV Pre Studio - GCL Monaco Sharid 0 EUR
6 GCTV Post Studio - GCL Monaco Sharid 0 EUR
6 National 1m presented by CAVALLERIA TOSCANA, PRIX FEPM Sharid 0 EUR
6 Longines Pro Am Competition, 1.15m + 1.30m au Profit de l'AMADE Sharid 30000 EUR
6 CSI2* 1.15m, Table A Against The Clock with Jump Off, Prix Institut Esthederm Sharid 3000 EUR
6 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix DU PRINCE DE MONACO Sharid 1500000 EUR
Total Prize Money € 1,856,700.00
2022
Rank Competition Horse €
47 CSI1* Grand Prix Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.35 m) Sharid 10000 EUR
47 CSI5* GCL of Valkenswaard 2022 Round 2 - Individuals Sharid 96000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.55 m) Sharid 96000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases special (1.35 m) Sharid 2000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases (1.45 m) Sharid 25700 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.45 m) Sharid 26000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.35 m) Sharid 1600 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.15 m) Sharid 1500 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.25 m) Sharid 5000 EUR
6 CSI5* GCL of Valkenswaard 2022 Round 2 Equine America Unick du Francport 0 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases special (1.20 m) Sharid 1500 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases (1.35 m) Sharid 1272 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.35 m) Sharid 3000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition with immediate jump-off (1.35 m) Sharid 25500 EUR
47 CSI2* Grand Prix Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.45 m) - Prize VAN DER HAEGE Sharid 26400 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases (1.45 m) Sharid 5160 EUR
47 CSI5* GCL of Valkenswaard 2022 Round 1 - Individuals Sharid 53000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition with immediate jump-off (1.35 m) Sharid 4000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.25 m) Sharid 2500 EUR
47 CSIYH1* Youngster Tour Final Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.30/1.35 m) - Prize ROELOFSEN Sharid 5000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competitionwith jump-off (1.15 m) Sharid 3500 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases special (1.10 m) Sharid 1000 EUR
47 CSI5* GCL of Valkenswaard 2022 Round 1 Sharid 0 EUR
47 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard Sharid 300000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.40 m) Sharid 2240 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition with immediate jump-off (1.35 m) Sharid 7045 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition in two phases special (1.30/1.35 m) Sharid 2000 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.45 m) Sharid 1530 EUR
47 Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.30/1.35 m) Sharid 3000 EUR
Total Prize Money € 711,447.00