Robert and Vermento claimed their first Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup in 2023, then regained the title in 2025. Only two other horses have won this iconic Grand Prix twice in the 33 years it has been held at Hickstead – Robert’s uncle Michael Whitaker’s ride Midnight Madness (1992 and 1994), and Beezie Madden’s Cortes C (2014 and 2015).

Stephen and Caroline Blatchford’s Vermento is a home-bred by John’s great showjumping stallion Argento. “To breed a horse and get it to five-star level is an achievement in itself,” says Robert, 43. “But he's gone on and done really great things. He's won the King George twice; he’s won World Cup legs and Grands Prix. He's been an amazing horse. To breed one like him doesn’t happen very often, so we're very lucky.”

Now Robert has the chance to match his Dad John’s trio of victories in this class, but he is reluctant to focus too much on records or titles. “I don't look at a show and think, I won this last year, I've got to win it again this year,” he says. “Obviously I'm going to be trying hard to win it, but I'm not putting that kind of pressure on myself. But Vermento is still only 13, so he could possibly win the King George again. He’s in great order, and he’s a very fit and sound horse. I'm going to have a good go this year, and if it doesn't happen this year, we'll try again next year.”

As a member of the famous Whitaker showjumping dynasty, Hickstead has always played a big part in Robert’s life. He started competing at the showground as a young child on ponies, and in 2004 he was part of the winning British Nations Cup team at Hickstead, at just 21 years old. He joined his Dad John on the winning British team in the 2024 Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, again with Vermento.

“I think Hickstead is part of our lives,” he adds. “We’ve always come here since a young age, and I grew up watching all the big shows and all the top riders. To ride in that ring is an amazing feeling – it’s a unique place, and the crowd is fantastic.”

The Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup takes place on the final Sunday of the five-day Agria Royal International Horse Show (22-26 July). Tickets are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk.