John Whitaker is from now on the co-owner of the incredible grand-prix horse Arqana de Riverland (Cornet Obolensky). The horse's owner Juliette Faligot wants to give the mare the opportunity to participate in topsport, with the aim of the Olympic Games in mind.
To be eligible to participate in the Olympic Games, the nationality of the horse must match that of the rider in the FEI database. This rule led to a beneficial agreement between the British rider John Whitaker and the French rider Juliette Faligot.
Both parties win
Faligot started riding Arqana when she was seven. She brought the grey mare all way up to the five-star Grand Prix level. Last year, they had a vitory in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix and also helped France to the win in the CSIO3* Nations Cup in Peelbergen. They were also placed in the CSI4* Grand Prix in Chantilly and Deauville, as well as in St Lô and Rouen.
But Faligot mentions the challenge of traveling to major competitions, having participated in only two CSI5* events last year. "I believe that Arqana deserves to compete at the level she is capable of. After the CSI4* in Rouen, I felt that she was ready for more. That's why I decided to sell one percent of my mare to John Whitaker, who I have long admired as a rider and have a good relationship with". Formally, Juliette remains 99% owner of the fourteen-year-old mare.
The 68-year-old Brit, John Whitaker, aims to convince Di Lampard to include him in the team for the Paris Olympics this year, and he hopes to achieve this with Arqana de Riverland. Although Whitaker has only been partnered with the horse since January 3rd, the duo has already achieved notable performances. On their third competition together, they successfully navigated the 1.50m course.
"After seven years under the saddle of Juliette Faligot, she is a bit set in her ways, but she jumps brilliantly," Whitaker explains. "We sometimes lack control, and there have been a few misunderstandings here and there, but I believe we are growing closer to each other. She is truly careful, quick, and I think she is going to be really competitive."
Source: World of Showjumping , Horse and Hound , Horses.nl
Source: World of Showjumping , Horse and Hound , Horses.nl
