Ellen Whitaker

Highlights

• Team bronze at the Europeans in Mannheim (GER), 2007
• Won HOYS speed stakes in 2006, 2008 and 2009
• Won Olympia Puissance, 2008
• Won HOYS Showjumper of the Year Grand Prix, 2009
• Won the Linz CSIO 5* in 2009
• Won HOYS Puissance, 2009
• Won the British Open Show Jumping Championships, 2010
• Won the Hickstead Speed Derby, 2007 and 2010
• Double clear at Nations Cup in Gijon, 2019

Notable horses

• Kanselier 
• Locarno 62 
• Equimax Ocolado 
• Ladina B 
• Royal Rose 

International showjumper

Ellen is a member of the world famous Whitaker dynasty

Her dad, Stephen, was also an international showjumper and she grew up with three brother – Joe, Thomas and Donald – who are all showjumpers.

Coming from such impressive stock, it’s little surprise that Ellen took to showjumping like a duck to water.

She started competing when she was five and enjoyed numerous prestigious wins in pony jumping, juniors and young rider competitions.

Ellen first competed at London Olympia in the under 25-final, when she was just 13 and three years later qualified for the international classes, when her horse Kanselier won the only qualifier at Addington manor. Aged only 16 she found herself competing against the world’s best.

Even more incredible is that two years later, she came second in the infamous Hickstead Derby on her dad’s horse, Locarno 62 ­– who was only eight years old himself. It was her uncle John that beat her to first place.

The following year Ellen competed alongside John in the European Championships in San Patrigano (ITA) for Team GB. She was also on the team at the Europeans in Mannheim (GER) in 2007, with both John and Michael. She jumped a triple clear with Locarno 62 to win team bronze, and help Britain qualify for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Ellen sadly missed out on being selected for the Games as Locarno went lame.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed an impressive number of wins during her career. She won the Hickstead speed derby twice; the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Grand Prix; the British Open; and the puissance at Olympia, HOYS and Madrid with Ladina B.