Michael Whitaker
{{Short description|British equestrian (born 1960)}}
{{other people|Michael Whitaker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox equestrian
| name = Michael Whitaker
| image = Paris Eiffel Jumping 2018 - Michael Whitaker.jpg
| imagesize = 240px
| fullname = Michael Whitaker
| nationality = {{GBR2}}
| discipline = Show jumping
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|3|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Huddersfield
| height_ft = 5.7
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 152
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Equestrian}}
{{MedalCountry | {{GBR2}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}
{{MedalSilver | 1984 Los Angeles | Team jumping}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}
{{MedalSilver|1986 Aachen|Team jumping}}
{{MedalBronze|1990 Stockholm|Team jumping}}
{{MedalCompetition|European Championships}}
{{MedalGold|1985 Dinard|Team jumping}}
{{MedalGold|1987 St. Gallen|Team jumping}}
{{MedalGold|1989 Rotterdam|Team jumping}}
{{MedalGold|2013 Herning|Team jumping}}
{{MedalSilver|1989 Rotterdam|Individual jumping}}
{{MedalSilver|1991 La Baule|Team jumping}}
{{MedalSilver|1993 Gijon|Team jumping}}
{{MedalSilver|1995 St. Gallen|Team jumping}}
{{MedalSilver|1995 St. Gallen|Individual jumping}}
{{MedalBronze|1993 Gijon|Individual jumping}}
{{MedalBronze|1997 Mannheim|Team jumping}}
{{MedalBronze|2007 Mannheim|Team jumping}}
}}
File:Hessischen Ministerpräsidenten Michael Whitaker auf Amai 5 mk.jpg
Michael Whitaker (born 17 March 1960) is a British Olympic equestrian rider, who competes in the sport of show jumping. He was ranked 5th by the British Showjumping Association in March 2014.
Career
Younger brother of John Whitaker, Michael began competing on ponies at the age of 5. At the age of 16, he made his debut in international competitions and in 1980 he became the second youngest winner of the Hickstead Derby, at the age of 20. In September 1993 he took over from his brother John as the internationally top-ranked show jumping rider.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}
In 2009 Whitaker was banned from competition for four months after his stallion Tackeray tested positive for a synthetic hormone altrenogest during a competition in France.{{Cite web |date=2009-06-27 |title=Doping scandal: Michael Whitaker banned |url=https://www.equisport.pt/en/news/doping-scandal-michael-whitaker-banned/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=EQUISPORT |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Charlotte |date=2009-10-02 |title=Michael Whitaker banned from riding in Olympics |url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showjumping/michael-whitaker-banned-from-riding-in-olympics-290102 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Horse & Hound |language=en}} Altrenogest is a female hormone that Whitaker claimed was present in the sample due to a mix up in feed buckets.{{Cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=2009-09-10 |title=British showjumper Michael Whitaker faces a disciplinary hearing in London |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/11/michael-whitaker-tackeray-banned-substance |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} Whitaker was found to be negligent for the positive test.{{Cite web |title=Michael Whitaker Suspended for Doping |url=https://horsesport.com/horse-news/michael-whitaker-suspended-for-doping/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Horse Sport |date=28 September 2009 |language=en-CA}}
Personal life
Born and raised on his parents' farm in Yorkshire. He and his three brothers were taught to ride by their mother Enid, a keen horsewoman. Michael began riding aged three on a Shetland pony named Hercules.
In December 1980, Whitaker married Belgian show jumper Veronique. They separated in 1997, and later divorced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/LIFE+IN+THE+SEXY+SADDLE+SET;+blush!-a061146567|title=LIFE IN THE SEXY SADDLE SET; blush! - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}
He married his second wife on 13 August 2013. They live in Whatton, Nottinghamshire with their children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showjumping/michael-whitaker-marries-melissa-braybrooke-404169|title=Michael Whitaker marries long-term partner|first=Jennifer|last=Donald|date=19 August 2013|website=Horse & Hound}} Their son Jack is also a show jumper.{{cite web|url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/jack-whitaker-exclusive-chat-834324|website=Horse and Hound|accessdate=5 April 2024|title= British showjumper Jack Whitaker: 'I've learnt patience the hard way'|date=15 August 2023}} His niece Ellen and nephews Robert and William are also show jumpers.https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/tag/ellen-whitaker
Major achievements
- 1984: Olympic Games, Los Angeles. Team Silver medal with Overton Amanda
- 1985: European Championships, Dinard. Team Gold medal with Warren Point
- 1986: World Championships, Aachen. Team Silver medal with Warren Point
- 1987: European Championships, St. Gallen. Team Gold Medal with Overton Amanda
- 1989: European Championships, Rotterdam. Team Gold Medal and individual silver medal with Mon Santa
- 1990: World Equestrian Games, Stockholm. Team Bronze medal with Mon Santa
- 1991: European Championships, La Baule. Team Silver medal with Mon Santa
- 1993: European Championships, Gijon. Team Silver medal and individual bronze with Midnight Madness
- 1994: World Cup Final, 's-Hertogenbosch. 3rd place with Midnight Madness
- 1995: European Championships, St. Gallen. Silver medals in team and individual with Two Step
- 1997: European Championships, Mannheim. Team Bronze Medal with Ashley
- 2001: World Cup Final, Gothenburg. 3rd place with Handel II
- 2005: World Cup Final, Las Vegas 2nd place with Portofino 63
- 2007: European Championships, Mannheim. Team Bronze Medal with Portofino 63
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Sports links}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061007124039/http://www.bsja.co.uk/_pdfs/WhitakerM.pdf BSJA profile]
- [http://www.horsesport.org/biographies/browse/detail.htm?sub=biographies&active=biographies1&rider_id=10011424&discipline=Jumping FEI Rider's Biography]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070830220929/http://www.em2007.de/results/ FEI European Jumping Championship – Mannheim – 2007]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitaker, Michael}}
Category:English male equestrians
Category:Olympic equestrians for Great Britain
Category:British male equestrians
Category:Olympic silver medallists for Great Britain
Category:Equestrians at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Category:Equestrians at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Category:Equestrians at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Category:Equestrians at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Category:Equestrians at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:British show jumping riders
Category:Sportspeople from Huddersfield
Category:Olympic medalists in equestrian
Category:Medalists at the 1984 Summer Olympics