British showjumper John Whitaker marked his return from a two-month injury break with victory in the CSI2* grand prix at Chard, Somerset. The 70-year-old Yorkshireman rode his 18-year-old horse Equine America Unick Du Francport to the only double clear round in the Longines rankings class. Whitaker's win came at his second competition since hernia surgery in late February.
John Whitaker, an Olympic, world and European championship medallist, had been sidelined since the end of February after undergoing hernia surgery. He made a swift comeback, competing at a small show before tackling the CSI2* Spring International at Chard. There, partnered with his stalwart mount known as 'Frank', Whitaker dominated the 1.45m grand prix course designed by Ben Townley, which featured a tight time-allowed and demanding fences. The course proved challenging, with Katie Speller on Z7 Pink Panther posting the first clear round in the first phase, followed by Gemma Stevens aboard nine-year-old Warrior Special and Whitaker. Only these three advanced to the jump-off. In the decider, Speller recorded 40.37 seconds with a rail down, while Stevens managed 40.36 seconds, also dropping a pole in the double of verticals. Whitaker, going last, stayed fault-free in 43.15 seconds, easing off after the tricky double to secure the win. > 'Frank', touch wood, seems really strong and happy, he jumped well all weekend,' Whitaker said. > We did one small show, but this is our first decent show back since the op, so we’re just building back up. > In the first round, you had no choice but to go for it to make the time. In the jump-off, I was lucky to be after the other two. Whitaker's nephew William Whitaker placed fourth on Millfield Quickstep with a time-fault, and Eoin Brennan took fifth on Augustus Z.
