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Post by heather on Dec 21, 2007 23:20:05 GMT 1
Has there ever been a family like them? What an incredible bunch of talent they represent! William Whitaker, at only 18, winning the puissance tonight at Olympia, cool as a cucumber, perfect classic jumping position, superbly quiet on the flat, hands of silk - wish I could have seen the same in the dressage there the other night- fantastic timing.
And not content with producing Ellen, Robert and William, there is another bevy of younger ones still, up and coming!! A dynasty indeed, and the future of British Show jumping looks bright because of them!
Heather
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xsamx
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,739
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Post by xsamx on Dec 21, 2007 23:21:55 GMT 1
I always wanted to live the Whitakers, they are so cool I don't think the talent will ever end in that family though
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Post by lavenderlanebabies on Dec 21, 2007 23:25:22 GMT 1
I agree they are a very talented family, however he didn't thank his horse at all, my friend and I both commented on this as he left the ring.
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Post by smonebull on Dec 21, 2007 23:33:59 GMT 1
John whitaker ,he's a lovely man, i bought a horse off him many years ago for 4000 pounds, it was actually worth 10, but he wanted it to go to a good home, money not important, have a lot of respect for him because of that.
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Post by SarahW on Dec 21, 2007 23:37:29 GMT 1
I thought it was quite telling that William's quiet way of riding succeeded whereas Robert picking up the whip stopped Finbarr in his tracks and made him look backwards instead of forwards. I thought Tim Stockdales' commentary was excellent tonight - he thought the whip distracted Finbarr and was quick to commend quiet riding.
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Post by heather on Dec 21, 2007 23:37:36 GMT 1
I think he was just so overwhelmed, lavenderlanebabies- not making excuses, but at 18, to have just won such a major competition, he looked as if he could hardly believe it, and may well have not realised that he hadnt patted his horse.
Heather
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Post by suewhitmore on Dec 21, 2007 23:39:00 GMT 1
My *HERO* jumping Xana & Xefira's great grandad, Novilheiro.
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Vic
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Ted the Horse!!!!!
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Post by Vic on Dec 21, 2007 23:40:05 GMT 1
Yeah, i agree with Heather, i suspect that horse will not be able to move later for hugs and pats when he comes back down to Earth!!! Everyone can overlook things sometimes, especially in such circumstances.
In fairness i don't think it was the whip as such that distracted Finbar, just the fact that Robert was moving about and it unsettled him a bit
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Post by indibindi on Dec 21, 2007 23:40:27 GMT 1
Really enjoyed it tonight. William was brilliant and that last jump was amazing. I usually like Robert but thought Tim got it spot on about the whip - brilliant commentating and information!
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Post by heather on Dec 21, 2007 23:41:26 GMT 1
Yes indeed, SarahW, I thought Tim's picking up of that was such a good point to show that force doesnt pay off. William's riding was truly exemplary.
Heather
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Post by heather on Dec 21, 2007 23:42:27 GMT 1
My HERO too Sue!! Blimey, and doesnt John look young there, was it really THAT long ago?!! Heather
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Vic
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Ted the Horse!!!!!
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Post by Vic on Dec 21, 2007 23:44:25 GMT 1
I do really like Tim Stockdales, think he's such a good ambassador for the sport in how he does so much to try to make it more accessible and appealing to people who previously may have known nothing about it.
I also particularly enjoyed Geoff Billington's very unbiased commentry of the grand prix jump off, he was highly entertaining.
Showjumping is just the bestest sport in the whole wide world ever!!!!!!
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Post by Catrin on Dec 21, 2007 23:45:20 GMT 1
... he didn't thank his horse at all... You thank your horse by asking nothing of it. His riding, for me, was thanks enough; guiding where needed and not getting in its way. Whereas his cousin who lost, did so by unbalancing and distracting the horse totally to use his whip. They both got the results they deserved.
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Post by Louise C on Dec 21, 2007 23:47:33 GMT 1
Really enjoyed watching it - was just amazing to watch him! I saw him on Monday night (William) - he left it too long after the bell had gone though and got disqualified - oops! I think the standard of riding has got higher recently - once you stop goggling at all the tack they wear!
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Post by SarahW on Dec 21, 2007 23:48:30 GMT 1
Sue, Xefira is with me at the moment. She's lovely.
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