John Whitaker (equestrian)

John Whitaker MBE (born 5 August 1955, Huddersfield) is a British equestrian and Olympian who competes in show jumping. He has won numerous international medals including an olympic silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. He is the managing director of John Whitaker International Limited which produces tack and equestrian clothing.

Showjumping
Whitaker has enjoyed success across four decades. He has competed at World and European Championships and five olympic teams between 1984 and 2016. He has won the Hickstead Derby four times.

"'In this sport you lose more than you win, and you need to learn to cope with that. You have to be able to pick yourself up and come back and try another day.' —John Whitaker"

Horses
He is best known for his partnership with the horse Milton with whom he won the Du Maunier Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows and won over £1 million in prize money before being retired in 1994. He won an Olympic medal in 1984 on Ryan's Son who he was given at the age of 18 and had a partnership with for 14 years.

Personal life
The Whitaker family is well known for showjumping. Whitaker is married to Clare Barr and has three children, including Robert Whitaker. His niece Ellen Whitaker, nephew William Whitaker as well as John's younger brother Michael Whitaker, and his son Jack Whitaker are also show jumpers.

Whitaker began riding at the age of 6, taught by his mother, who ran a riding school. As children, he and his brother Michael delivered milk using a horse and cart until they were 16 and began to show jump professionally.