Michael Whitaker

Michael Whitaker
Personal information
Full name	Michael Whitaker
Nationality	United Kingdom
Discipline	Show jumping
Born	(1960-03-17) 17 March 1960 (age 57) Huddersfield
Height	5.8 ft 0 in (1.77 m)
Weight	152 lb (69 kg; 10 st 12 lb)
Medal record Representing  United Kingdom Equestrian Olympic Games 1984 Los Angeles Team jumping World Championships 1986 Aachen Team jumping 1990 Stockholm Team jumping European Championships 1985 Dinard Team jumping 1987 St. Gallen Team jumping 1989 Rotterdam Team jumping 2013 Herning Team jumping 1989 Rotterdam Individual jumping 1991 La Baule Team jumping 1993 Gijon Team jumping 1995 St. Gallen Team jumping 1995 St. Gallen Individual jumping 1993 Gijon Individual jumping 1997 Mannheim Team jumping 2007 Mannheim Team jumping

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.

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.

Born and raised on his parents’ farm in Yorkshire. Michael and his three brothers John, Steven & Ian were taught to ride by their mother Enid, a keen horsewoman. Michael began riding aged 3 on a Shetland pony named Hercules.

In December 1980, Michael married Belgian Show Jumper Veronique. They separated in 1997, and later divorced following Michael's affair with his groom Melissa Braybrooke

Michael and Melissa married on the 13 August 2013 in a registry office in Nottinghamshire. They live at Whatton, Nottinghamshire with their children Jack, Molly and Katie.

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