“A Gold Medallist”: The Travelling Groom Behind Equestrian Rider’s Success in Prestigious Showjumping Events Reveals Secret

John Whitaker has been a promising name in the equestrian community, even more so in the show jumping. Starting from the age of six, he has continued to persist in his career even as a 68-year-old. Throughout his career, Whitaker has been with quite a few horses and has remained loyal to them. And when it comes to grooming, Whitaker has had someone just as reliable.

Kerry Finch who joined John Whitaker as a freelance groom, has stayed on with the showjumping icon for five years now. The groomer has her job set for her as she is assigned to look after Whitaker’s top three horses; Equine America Unick Du Francport, Sharid, and Green Grass. While speaking about her job working with the equines and the equestrian, Kerry has a secret to let the fans in on.

Kerry Finch tells the enthusiasts what it takes

John Whitaker hasn’t been Kerry Finch’s first job. Prior to managing Whitaker, the groomer had 13 experience working with his brother Michael, and another 6 working for Billy Twomey. With her experience, Finch has a way with the horses; and the first thing is to understand them well.

Talking about America Unick Du Francport, a 15-year-old gelding, Finch said it is important to remain quiet around him for he is a sensitive horse. Understanding Francport, Finch knows to let him be. “You cannot be sharp around him, you have to remain quiet as he is quite a sensitive horse in that respect,” Finch said according to Horse and Hound.

“At the same time, he knows what he wants, and does what he wants.” And talking about Sharid, her traveling companion, she has a funny story to share. “You know that something is not right when Sharid does not go back to bed after breakfast to sleep!” Finch shares that Sharid is a “gold medalist” when it comes to sleeping.

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Working with John Whitaker for five years, the job has been pretty easy for the groomer. Kerry shares that Whitaker is pretty old school and simple. “He is someone that gets on with it, and who continually keeps going. I think the day he stops will be the day that the world does not have a John Whitaker. Age does not define him!” John Whitaker has been going on for 40 years in his career. With his demeanor and dedication, John has quite the career for a youngster to look up to.

John Whitaker’s equestrian endeavors

Whitaker has been known as the British equestrian with his leg in the most prestigious of the events. The showjumping enthusiast has a total of 24 medals to his name accumulated from his participation in the Olympics, world, and European championships. Partaking in the 1984 Olympics team, he came home with a silver, and since then he has been a part of the 5 Olympics team lasting till 2016.

One of his other most prized achievements included his win at the Du Maunier Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows competing with his equine Milton. The duo winning the title won the prize money of £1 million. The achievement titled Milton as the first showjumping horse to win such an amount. With his accomplishments in the field, Whitaker was also awarded the MBE, Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2007.

Even at the age of 68, he has continued with his activities. The most recent one was being back at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, in Calgary Canada. Kerry Finch has been through with him with his recent endeavors and continues to support him. While she continues to ensure the well-being of the horses, John Whitaker continues to set examples through his trail. The duo’s ways have certainly given the spectators something to look up to.

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