Show jumping often is called a lifetime sport. No one takes that more seriously than John Whitaker, who spent decades as a mainstay of the British team and is still going at age 70.
When the London International Horse Show drew to a close Sunday, John found himself in the five-horse jump-off of the Turkish Airlines Grand Prix, trying to beat the fault-free, 32.59-second mark of Ireland’s 20-year-old Tom Wachman, half-a century his junior and winner of the FEI’s 2025 Rising Star award.
John couldn’t quite manage it, dropping a rail with Equine America Unick de Francport, to finish fourth in 35.39 seconds. Although Tom took the top prize, John did collect a gigantic silver trophy as the top-placed British rider, which certainly was some consolation.
John Whitaker got a trophy as the highest-placed British rider in the Turkish Airlines Grand Prix.
Tom, who dominated the Young Rider ranks before moving on to the open competition, was clocked in 32.59 second for his clean round on the well-named Do It Easy, a 12-year-old Selle Francais who had been his second-string horse.
Tom Wachman and Do It Easy.
The gelding, by Vigo Cece, is owned by Coolmore Show Jumping, an offshoot of Coolmore Stud, the world’s largest thoroughbred racing breeding operation. Tom’s great-grandfather, trainer Vincent O’Brien, guided the likes of racing icons Sir Ivor and Nijinsky. His grandparents are billionaire John Magnier and his wife, Sue, while Tom’s father, David, also trained racehorses and his mother, Kate, was an eventer.
Do It Easy is “a very versatile horse. You can do a grand prix or a speed class. Any day you want him, he’s so reliable, said his rider.
Canada’s Kara Chad had the unenviable task of going first in the original 35-horse field, but she had the comfort of riding her special mount, Igor GPH, over yet another clever course designed by Alan Wade. The 2028 Olympic course designer is a master of using the time allowed to help determine the outcome even with a route that has challenges of distance, height and width.
In the first round, the eleventh of 13 jumping efforts was topped by a plank. Rush there to make the time, and the plank would come down, as several riders found to their regret. Three riders collected time penalties and five elected to retire.
Kara was undeterred by being the pathfinder in both rounds, explaining she and her horse, “know each other inside and out.”
Her 33.64 mark in the tiebreaker was good enough for second, edging ahead of Austria’s Max Kühner, winner of the FEI World Cup qualifier the previous night with EIC Cooley Jump the Q, Max was on a different horse for the Turkish Airlines class, Greece 5, clocked in 34.14 seconds. The class was worth 110,000 Euros ($129,442).
Turkish Airlines Grand Prix winner Tom Wachman, center; runner-up Kara Chad, left and Max Kuhner.
While on the podium, Tom commented about his mount, “He’s a brilliant horse. We thought this class would suit him, he’s been in great form the last couple of weeks.” The rider, trained by Irish Olympic medalist Cian O’Connor, thanked his team for their help in his success.
Cian described Tom this way, “Grit, determination, belief and an outstanding work ethic are all qualities that he has in abundance. I feel privileged to work so closely with him.”
No U.S. riders competed at the London show, which a delightful holiday fixture, featuring a traditional appearance of Santa with his team of white ponies. There were exhibitions that included a Hungarian military drill team, Shetland pony races and dog agility among a host of classes.
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