Equestrianism: First award for Whitaker

MICHAEL WHITAKER, top of the world rankings for show jumping, collected his first Martini Award in London yesterday, writes Genevieve Murphy. The awards are based on votes by the readers of Horse and Rider and Pony magazines.

Whitaker now has, arguably, the best stable of horses in the world. He will be taking Everest Midnight Madness, Monsanto and Elton to the World Cup qualifiers in Dortmund and Paris this month.

Kristina Gifford, another first-time recipient, took the Martini Horse Trials award after winning the individual silver medal in last year's European Three Day Event Championship.