Second Queen’s Title for James Whitaker at Hickstead

By Jumper News on 2025-07-30

Hickstead, England – July 26, 2025 – Some of Britain’s leading national showjumpers came forward for Saturday’s €12,000 JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup, with 2018 winner James Whitaker (GBR) taking the title for a second time.

It’s been a phenomenal few years for the Whitaker family at Hickstead, with British showjumping’s first family picking up many of the major titles at the showground. John Whitaker (GBR) was on the winning British team at the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain in 2023 and 2024, his son Robert joined him on the winning team in 2024 and won the King George V Gold Cup in 2023, while cousin Donald took the same Grand Prix title in 2024. Robert was back at the top of the leaderboard in last month’s Al Shira’aa Derby, and now cousin James has won the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup thanks to a storming round on Just Call Me Henry, a horse owned by his dad Ian.

**James Whitaker** (GBR) & **Just Call Me Henry**

The JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup used to be an international class open to women riders only, but in 2008 the rules were changed to allow both men and women to compete. This renewal saw nine of the 29 starters jump clear in the first round, with Whitaker making the most of his late draw to shave 1.43 seconds off leader Allana Clutterbuck’s (GBR) time.

“It’s a great class to win. Some people are lucky enough to win it once, and now I’ve won it twice, so I’m very happy,” said a delighted James.

The rider was quick to give credit to his 10-year-old gelding Just Call Me Henry. “The only way he was going to knock a fence down was if I messed it up, and luckily I didn’t,” James added. “He’s been knocking at the door for a little while, and for the last couple of weeks he’s been jumping great.”

**Allana Clutterbuck** (GBR) & **Vykingbay**

Allana Clutterbuck (GBR) finished in second place with the 16-year-old Vykinbay, a horse with whom she’s enjoyed a lot of success at county shows and Area Trials. For the second year in a row, she won the Cindy Mead Memorial Trophy for the best rider under-25.

Ireland’s Peter Moloney (IRL) took the third spot, finishing 1.6 seconds slower than Allana with the chestnut gelding Nielson.