Rider Biographies

Francis Whittington

Country: Great Britain

Age: 33

A 10th place at last year’s Burghley marked a change in four-star fortune for the East Sussex-based rider, who has been struck by bad luck at this level on several occasions when in with a shout.

Francis was a member of the Eridge Pony Club and aged 16 he was selected for the British Pony squad with Northdown Nova, where he won team silver and individual gold in Hasselt, Belgium. Francis left school before completing A levels to pursue a career in horses and he trained as an equine dentist. After ten years in the job he decided to concentrate on eventing full-time and now runs his yard in East Sussex.

He completed his first four-star at Burghley 2001 with a clear cross-country round on Doonbeg Lady.

Francis was instrumental in resurrecting the Event Riders Association (ERA) – a platform for riders to air their views on the sport.

Notable achievements

• 2011 – Barbury CIC*** 4th Easy Target
• 2011 – Luhmuhlen CCI**** 11th Sir Percival III
• 2011 – Tattersalls CCI*** 5th Easy Target
• 2010 – Burghley CCI**** 10th Sir Percival III
• 2010 – Burnham Market CIC*** 9th Sir Percival III
• 2009 – Gatcombe CIC*** 36th Sir Percival III
• 2009 – Aachen CCI*** 15th Sir Percival III
• 2009 – Badminton CCI**** 15th Sir PercivaI IIl
• 2009 – Burnham Market CIC*** 7th Sir Percival III
• 2008 – Burnham Market CIC***W 1st Sir Percival III
• 2007 – Pau CCI**** 12th Sir Percival III
• 2007 – Martinvast CIC***W 7th Spin Doctor
• 2006 – Blenheim CCI*** 7th Sir Percival III
• 2006 – Barbury Castle 11th Osh Kosh
• 2006 – Hartpury CIC*** 5th Sir Percival III
• 2004 – Blenheim CCI*** 13th Osh Kosh
• 2004 – Burghley CCI**** 34th Spin Doctor