Ellen Whitaker

Ellen Whitaker (born 5 March 1986) is an English show jumping rider, currently ranked 191 on the FEI riders Longines Ranking list in July 2022.

Competing since the age of 5, Whitaker has had much experience in the equestrian world and qualified for HOYS aged 8 years.

In 2006, Whitaker and her father were involved with a legal dispute over the ownership of thirteen horses, including her top horse Locarna; a few months later a deal was agreed.

In 2007, Whitaker represented Great Britain in the European Championships and helped allow Britain to qualify for the Olympics after jumping triple clear.

She missed out on being selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to lameness in horse Locarno 62.

In 2010, Whitaker spoke to the press after refusing to jump for the British team due to a conflict with the team manager, Rob Hoekstra.

She told Horse & Hound: "I only have Ocolado at the moment and Rob wanted to interfere with the way I do everything."

Her father, and manager, added: "It's not a matter of Ellen not wanting to jump for her country, but we won't jump again until Rob Hoekstra is finished."

But British Equestrian Federation World Class performance director Will Connell said: "The riders wanted stronger management and leadership and that's what Rob is delivering."

Hoekstra did not wish to comment, saying: "I do not think team issues are best resolved through the press."

She is the daughter of former show jumper Stephen Whitaker and his wife Carol, and niece of rider Michael Whitaker.

Her brothers.

and cousins Robert and William, are also show jumpers.

She lives on the family farm near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and attended Penistone Grammar School.

On 19 September 2011, Whitaker pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.

Whitaker was stopped by local Police in Knutsford, Cheshire at 02:00 after she had attended a charity ball.

A roadside breath test proved positive and she was taken to a police station where her lowest reading was 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; more than double the legal limit of 35.

She was engaged to actor Henry Cavill from 2011 until 2012.

Spacecake (born 2012), Mare, sire Stakkatol, Dam Sire: Kannan.

Among many others, some of her achievements are:

Koch Media launched Ellen Whitaker's Horse Life video game for PC, Nintendo DS and Wii.

Whitaker and Spanish showjumper Antonio Marinas Soto have two sons together, born May 2014 and March 2016.

On 5 August 2016, Whitaker and Soto announced their engagement.

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