Ellen Whitaker
Ellen Whitaker (born 5 March 1986) is an English show jumping rider, currently ranked 211 on the FEI riders Longines Ranking list in September 2019. Career. Competing since the age of 5, Whitaker has had much experience in the equestrian world and qualified for HOYS at just 8 years old. In 2006, Whitaker and her father Steven Whitaker were hit with a legal dispute over ownership of thirteen horses, including her top horse Locarno. However, a few months later a peace deal was made. 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 British 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 Steven Whitaker 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." Personal life. She is the daughter of former show jumper Stephen Whitaker and his wife Carol, and niece of riders John and Michael Whitaker. Her brothers Joe, Thomas and Donald, as well as her cousins Robert, William, Louise, Joanne, George, James and Jack 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 Town Centre, Cheshire at 2 am after she 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 British actor Henry Cavill from 2011 until 2012. Whitaker's son, Harry Marinas Whitaker, by  her partner, Spanish showjumper Antonio Marinas Soto, was born on 17 May 2014. Whitaker and Soto's second child, Frankie Thomas Marinas- Whitaker, was born on 20 March 2016. On 5 August 2016, Whitaker and Soto announced their engagement. Successes. Among many others, some of her achievements are: