Who are the members of the whitaker equestrian family?

Answer 1

Twenty-three-year-old Ellen is the daughter of Carol and Stephen Whitaker, and the niece of international riders John and Michael. As a member of the famous Whitaker "show jumping" family, she was born with the sport in her blood.

Ellen grew up on the family farm near Barnsley in South Yorkshire where she began to ride as a toddler. She still lives there today with her parents, her brothers, Joe, Thomas and Donald and her dog Lucy.

Ellen is currently ranked 13th in the UK and is working hard to achieve her goal of attending the 2012 Olympics.

Stephen Whitaker and his brothers, John, Michael and Ian, were brought up by their parents Donald and Enid. Donald was a farmer, and although he didn't ride, he had a good eye for buying horses. It was the brothers' mother Enid who taught her sons to ride and so began the Whitaker legend.

Today Stephen trains Ellen and her brothers to ride, as well as competing himself when he can.

Carol is at the centre of her family and their show jumping careers. Without her they would fall apart!

Carol was herself a talented show jumper who put aside her own career to bring up her children. She has dedicated her life to supporting Stephen, Ellen and the boys and ensures they arrive at the right shows, at the right time and with the right horses!

Currently aged 21, Joe is ranked 7th in the UK's Top Young Riders list and was a member of the Junior European Championship team that won the bronze medal in 2006. As well as competing, Joe spends much of his time coaching other riders and is a registered coach for the Active Rider Horsecmps, Clinics and World Equestrian Coaching organisation

Thomas, aged 19, is currently ranked 29th in the UK's Top Young Riders list and recently came first in the Horse Deals Young Riders Final at Arena UK on Hosire Des Chaines.

Donald is following hot on his siblings' heals and at 17 is beginning to get his name known in the show jumping world for his own talent, as well as for being a member of show jumping's most famous family.