Here are five sensational show jumpers who have gone down in history for their distinct style, talent and bravery.
Ryan’s Son:
Ryan’s Son was born in 1968 and was famously ridden by show jumping sensation, John Whitaker. The bay Irish Sports Horse was renowned for his love of bucking after the final fence.
John Whitaker and Ryan's Son
Youtube
Ryan’s Son and John Whitaker has many notable wins over the duration of their career, including winning the Royal International Horse Show, Horse of the Year Show, Olympia as well as placing at European and World Championships.
This adored combination also won Hickstead in 1983. It was at this same event in 1987 when Ryan’s Son had a tragic fall, which proved to be fatal. Ryan’s Son still remains a legendary Irish Sport Horse, who was instrumental to John Whitaker’s career.
Lastic:
British Showjumping legend Nick Skelton and Lastic made show jumping history at the 1978 Olympia Horse Show in London, when they cleared a 2.32 meter fence. Lastic was a son of the Trakehner stallion, Lateran.
Stroller:
Stroller was born in 1950 and was famously owned and ridden by Marion Coakes. The thoroughbred x Connemara pony stood just over 14.2 hands. Marion Coakes and Stroller had various triumphs over their career, including winning a Silver Medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Stroller spent more than 15-years in retirement, before dying at the age of 36.
Pocket rocket, Cevo Itot du Chateau is a horse that most Australians are familiar with. The French gelding out of Le Tot de Semilly was partnered with Australian Show jumping sensation, Edwina-Tops Alexander in 2007, when he was given to her as a gift from husband, Jan Tops.
Edwina and ‘’Toti’’ continued on to become one of the most lucrative partnerships in the Global Champions Tour, earning more than $3.5 million together.
Toti was retired from competition in 2014 at the age of 18.
Milton is a name that is synonymous with the show jumping scene. John Whitaker and the dazzling grey became the sport’s first ever combination to win more than one million pounds in prize money. The unstoppable duo won three gold meals, two silver and one bronze. Milton retired from the sport in 1994 at the Olympia Horse Show. He died on the 4th of July, 1999 and was buried on the Whitakers’ farm in Yorkshire.
