Jack Whitaker says he's «very, very lucky»; to be born into a family with extensive experience in show jumping. Photo: Roberto Tommasini/Getty Images
Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker have been attending the Royal Windsor Horse Show for as long as they can remember. As children of famous show jumpers, they went to see their fathers Tim Stockdale and Michael Whitaker in action.
This year they will both compete for the grand prize. But the event will be different from their memories. Because for the first time since it opened eighty years ago, the show's most famous regular won't be there.
"It was always great to see the queen, she was always there, she seemed to enjoy it so much" Whitaker says. «You should have seen her driving around the park in her Land Rover.» adds Stockdale. "She was such a supporter"
Not that either of them had ever dated her.
"She usually only spoke to the overall winners" Whitaker says. Winners such as Tim Stockdale, who won the Royal Windsor Grand Prix twice in 1996 and 2007, and Michael Whitaker, who won it in 2008. And while Joe won the U25 class in 2019, none of the young riders have yet matched him. This is what they intend to change this year. And they have a chance. At 22 and 24 years old respectively, Whitaker and Stockdale are considered the brightest representatives of the next generation of British show jumping talent.
'This is a huge inspiration'
The pair have known each other for many years, dating, watching their families compete. Michael and John Whitaker were on the GB team that won the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and Tim Stockdale played for GB at the 2008 Beijing Games.
"This is a huge inspiration" Whitaker talks about his legacy. "I don't see this as a challenge at all. I consider myself very, very lucky to be born into the family I was in. I realize that I have taken a huge step forward. I feel that I should benefit from this, and not put a big burden on my shoulders. I should take it and use it.
His father and uncle always watched over him, he says.
"Honestly, my father probably waited for me to ask instead of giving advice. Because he knows that if I made a mistake, then I will know what I did wrong. He won't rush in and make things worse. On the other hand, when you're doing well, it's not exactly the time to open the champagne. You won't get more than «you did good.»
It was different for Stockdale. He intended to go in a completely different sports direction than his father.
"Growing up, riding was always just a fun hobby for me, not something I ever did,& No. 34; He says. "I wanted to be a cricketer"
A promising bowler, he spent most of his youth at the Northamptonshire cricket academy. He was on his way to becoming a professional. But then a family tragedy struck. In 2018, while still competing at the highest level, Tim Stockdale died of stomach cancer. With a family yard to maintain and about 25 expensive Thoroughbreds to train, Joe decided to get into cricket and turn his attention to his father's calling.
Joe Stockdale, a promising cricketer, took up show jumping after the death of his father Tim in 2018. Photo: John Robertson/JR Photos
"I am very happy to be doing this" He says. "We ended up on the right track"
Though his father was probably interested in horses, not racing them. With his bowler-cup physique, Joe would not have become a jockey. But in show jumping, the weight of the rider is not so important.
“Although you wouldn't want to be heavy, for us it's about balance and time on the horse. It matters much more than your weight. You have 60 seconds in the ring and it all depends on how you connect with the horse."
'The Olympics color everything'
And his connection has been exemplary so far. Seasoned sports watchers believe that he has a very good chance of making it to the Olympics next summer. Together with Whitaker.
"The Olympics colors everything" Whitaker says. "It's what you have deep down in your soul. I remember when dad competed, as the Olympics approached, everything became much more serious. He won everything: Euros, worlds, a lot. But when the Olympics came, he couldn't do it. And none of the British could. That changed in 2012 and then with Nick Skelton in Rio. So hopefully that has changed since the British experience.
However, getting a couple to Paris requires a consistent level of excellent performance over the next year. Starting with Windsor. As long as the event doesn't go against the trend of disrupting sporting events.
"No one told us to worry about it," Stockdale says. "Because of where it is, there's a lot of security there anyway. We don't worry. It is more important for us to show the good that comes from our sport. That's our responsibility.
Tickets are still available to see Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker at the Royal Windsor Horse Show from May 11-14. For more information and bookings please visit: rwhs.co.uk.
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