Everyone involved in showjumping knows the name Whitaker, and once again at the Sunshine Tour this family-name was at the very top of the podium. Robert Whitaker, the son of the legendary John Whitaker, was the winner of Sunday's CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix riding Catwalk IV (Colman x Corleone) in a time of 40.29 seconds in the jump-off. This is not the first time the pair has been on the podium in the Invitational, in 2014 they were 3rd behind yet another Whitaker; that time Robert’s cousin William.

The 1.60 course was extremely difficult and demanding, built by the famous designer Uliano Vezzani. “It was a very tough and testing course. Only seven horses went clear in the first round but for my horse the design was perfect. It was a fantastic and very emotional win for me as after all the years I have been coming to the Tour, I feel very at much at home here.”

Belgian riders Jerome Guery with Grand Cru Van de Rozenberg (Malito de Reves x Heartbreaker) and Fabienne Daigneux-Lange with Venue D’Fees Des Hazalles (Venue x Alcatraz) took 2nd and 3rd place. Guery rode a very fast and neat round in 40.91 seconds, and was delighted with his mount and this successful end to his Tour. 

Source: Press release from the Sunshine Tour // Picture © Sunshine Tour