Whitaker Whitewash!

The Whitaker family kicked off the first day of jumping at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, with three of the clan winning all four classes.

 

Ellen Whitaker and her speed demon Cortaflex Kanselier were winners of the first jumping class of the day – The Shelley Ashman International Ltd, EM Rogers (Transport) Ltd and Equine Risk Management Welcome Stakes. The pair flew round the course with a winning time of 25.80 seconds. Pius Schwizer on Joy’s Mouche came second with a time of 25.94.

 

Ellen’s Uncle, Michael continued his blistering form winning the Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes with GIG Portofino. British Showjumpers were off to a good start with Nick Skelton and Carlo coming third.

 

Ellen went on to delight the crowd winning the Pony Club Mini Major Relay on Cortaflex Kanselier yet again with partner Leonie Aitkenhead riding Martlets Masters Madam. Leonie Aitkenhead, 11 years old, is a member of the Brocklesby Hunt Pony Club and comes from Lincolnshire. Ellen is fast becoming one of the riders all the Juniors want to partner with – she won the same class last year. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall attended this evening’s performance and presented Ellen and Leonie with their winners’ trophies.

 

Finally in the last class of the evening the Waverley TBS Christmas Speed Stakes, Robert also got in on the act with a lightning round on Lacroix 9, with a time of 52.82. Robert was last to go and up until that point, Ben Maher, who was also presented the FEI Badge of Honour this evening, led the pack with Wonderboy III, despite Michael having another quick round. European Gold medalist Kevin Staut came third with Pinball.

 

After the first day of jumping on a very snowy Olympia night, Pius Schwizer leads the H&M Leading Rider table, closely followed of course by Michael Witaker in second and Robert Whitaker in third.