New five-star experience for John Whitaker with Paris Olympics ‘a chance’

John Whitaker has a brand new top-drawer experience in his string with whom he’ll goal five-star reveals and may very well be a contender for Paris 2024.

Arqana De Riverland, owned and campaigned by French rider Juliette Faligot, will probably be ridden by John.

The Olympic medal-winning rider has a one p.c share within the gray mare and he or she was declared for Britain forward of the 15 January deadline – this was the date by which horses should be registered within the nation for which they compete at Paris 2024.

“Juliette desires to provide the mare an opportunity at five-star degree and probably the Olympics,” John informed H&H, including that it’s “within the sights” if she goes nicely.

“I wish to let actions converse louder than phrases, so we will see how we go. It’s a chance.”

The 14-year-old mare, by Cornet Obolensky, has been produced from a younger horse to high degree by Juliette. The pair have scored CSI3* grands prix wins and quite a few worldwide placings throughout Europe.

Arqana continues to be with Juliette, with the goal for John to do his first reveals together with her in direction of the top of the month.

He mentioned the mare has a “excellent” angle and appears very simple.

“I’ve ridden her a few occasions and it went nicely. I’m going to begin off at Sentower, then Lier, and take it from there,” he mentioned. “I’m wanting ahead to it – hopefully it’s going to be good!”

John, 68, is a legend of British showjumping and one of many sport’s most revered horsemen. He has competed at six Olympic Video games, plus the 1980 different Olympics and lots of different senior championships, profitable dozens of medals for Britain.

He has been competing on the high of the game for almost 5 many years. At his most up-to-date worldwide occasion, the five-star London Worldwide Horse Present in December, he received two main courses.

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H&H senior information author

Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound crew in 2015, Lucy has reported from main world sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call a couple of. She has lined present affairs and sports activities information throughout the complete spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, trade information and court docket instances.