John Whitaker Takes on Eventing as a New Challenge

Legendary showjumper John Whitaker has decided to try his hand at eventing, viewing it as a new challenge as he approaches his 70th birthday.

In an interview, he expressed that reaching this significant milestone prompted him to consider different avenues in his equestrian career. Whitaker explained that he weighed his options between eventing and dressage, concluding that the latter did not seem exciting enough for him. He also mentioned vaulting as a possibility but preferred the more traditional attire of jackets and breeches. His venture into eventing was catalyzed by a horse he bred, a young stallion named Filaloor P, sired by his renowned stallion Argento and out of a thoroughbred mare. The development of this horse was supported by a close friend who sought a combination of Argento’s jumping ability and the mare’s speed.

Whitaker noted the horse's impressive qualities from the onset, recalling one instance where Filaloor P jumped over a six-bar gate effortlessly when first let loose. He also recognized the horse's agility in the field, which hinted at potential in pure dressage. Although he is familiarizing himself with the intricacies of dressage, he found himself primarily needing to recall the specifics of the arena layout. Last season, he competed successfully up to an advanced intermediate level under a pseudonym, choosing to go by Hugh Jeauke, a family name connected to his great-uncle. This strategy was meant to keep his competition incognito. Although he had planned to participate in the Lycetts Grantham Cup recently, scheduling conflicts prevented his attendance.

Looking ahead, Whitaker aims to meet the minimum eligibility requirements for five-star events this season, setting his sights on the prestigious Badminton competition next spring.

You can learn more about John's unforgettable wins and countless goosebump moments in the ClipMyHorse.tv documentary: John Whitaker- Not a Normal Life

Oh, and Happy April Fool's Day ;)