Ellen Whitaker

I havent seen her react like this before as I dont follow SJ much, but have heard about it. Stroppy teenager comes to mind. It certainly looked like a reaction out of temper.
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Interesting to contrast with Guy Williams (I think it was?) who came off at the dyke but gave his horse a pat and some grass afterwards. I'm sure he'll be a lot happier next time round a Derby course than Ellen's horse.
 
Can't say I was impressed with her and her behaviour. I too was impressed with Guy after he fell off still patting his horse and making a fuss of it. It's all very disappointing but these are animals we are dealing with not machines.
 
Nasty wench...I seem to remember a thread about her last year after the Derby too, saying pretty much the same thing. She has a temper on her that's for sure, I was hoping that spirited grey mare would dump her off the side of the bank in front of everyone.
 
Yes, she has been seen on several occasions reminding a horse (long after the misdemeanours in the ring) exactly who is boss. And young eyes have witnessed the reprimands. Not really the sort of person you want to look up to.

Now William W, on the other hand... and Guy Williams, had two stops and a fall resulting in elimination, patting his horse and later with his groom also smiling and patting it.

Puzzles me why she gets away with it.
 
A few years back another 'talented' horse woman was seen doing the same thing backstage and was reprimanded for it by her peers. Have we now got a generation of young riders who's main aim is clearly to win at all costs??
Sad if it is.
 
I have seen her on too many occasions taking her temper out on the horses when things do not go to plan.

I understand it is frustrating and that she does it for a living and has owners to please but she is supposed to be an ambassador for the sport so think she should be showing a better example.

I wonder what she is like off camera at home with them??
 
I saw her once, take an extremely tight turn to a very big vertical, stride was never present and horse had no chance so refused. She promptly turned it around and belted it quite a few times for refusing. Personally, I would have been belting myself round the head for letting my horse down.
I just wish she could take a leaf out of WW's book. You couldn't help but smile after he reassured his 1st horse after coming of the bank an clattering the white rails and they then got it together to jump that treble combo cleanly. Guy Williams took a tumble as well and his horse came to him. I can't see the need in getting wound up and see-sawing off a horses mouth because it refused. As they say horses for courses and there's always another day ...
 
I have such little faith in that woman that when the mare refused I actually said "O no this isn't going to be pretty" to my other half. I just knew she was going to do something to that horse. Vile thing that she is.
 
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Isn't this a problem with a lot of 'professional' riders who see their horses as a means to an end rather than flesh and blood?
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Ehhm, not really, if you compare others' behaviour at the Derby, unfortunately Ellen stands out rather badly
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Ellen is badly behaved far to often and is known for it. The fact that she is so competitive shouldnt be used as an excuse, Guy Williams is prob the most competitive in Britain, but even he admitted that Torinto was in the wrong class and wont jump another Derby. Ladina is a class act at a big wall but clearly may not be a Derby horse. Ellen should be old enough to understand that. Also I dont think she is as great as people make out (i am prepared to get shot down for this!). She swings around in the saddle kicking and pulling, has a lot of horses bought for her that are produced by other people who think alot of them eg Sefana- Mark Armstrong, Ocalado- James Fisher- and also a lot of horses she has bought for her just disapear if she cant ride them- Quinton?? Her brother Joe looks a lot better horseman and will surely produce more novices than her and in a nicer way, Will is streets ahead of her and young girl riders such as Jessie Drea and Megan James are catching her up!! Although what cant be taken away is the fact that she is a true competiter, very positive and awesome against the clock
 
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Isn't this a problem with a lot of 'professional' riders who see their horses as a means to an end rather than flesh and blood?
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Just look at the derby today,everyone that had rotten luck shrugged it off except EW which is why she is the only one being spoken badly about.

Cant comment on how the others are at home,but I really do dread to think what Ellen considers OK if she thinks displays like today are fine when she is out in full public view
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A very unpleasant youn woman. And most unprofessional.

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you always hit it right on the button Amymay-agreed little witch she is!

Does anyone remember last year when her horse kept falling it fell up the bank and was really jittery and she beat that round and made it finish-poor think I was shouting at the telly for her to pull up that was on a bay?
 
I wasn't watching but from the post she is going through a stage many young riders do, of not getting their horses to want to do it for them, more of making them.
I have seen it countless times over the years, promising young riders (more often males) want to win at all costs and think sheer brute force will do it for them.
I'm surprised she hasn't realised by watching her Uncles, once you get a partnership, the horse will try it's utmost for you regardless of fear etc., but she sadly hasn't found the family gift as yet.
I once had M Whittaker come to try a horse we had for sale, it was like watching magic, his communication with the horse was such that it tried it's damndest to please him, and that's what Ellen has to learn how to do.
(and I'm someone who loathes Parelli, I mean ridden communication!)
I doubt you will see her behave like that in public again, the backlash will shame her too much..
 
Very disappointed in seeing her jab the horse with the spurs after retiring
The top of the Derby bank is a dangerous place to pick a fight
Cant believe they risk horses so valuable without practicing over something at home first.
Very poor sportsmanship shown and bad example to all the youngsters watching.
 
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Very disappointed in seeing her jab the horse with the spurs after retiring
The top of the Derby bank is a dangerous place to pick a fight
Cant believe they risk horses so valuable without practicing over something at home first.
Very poor sportsmanship shown and bad example to all the youngsters watching.

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Exactly, they showed that clip of the horse launching itself off the top. Plus, micheal whitiker had a replica bank made so he could practice....
 
I'm glad you started this post cos was going to do it myself. Do NOT like Ellen Whitaker cos the way she acts when it doesn't go her way!!

She is such a poor loser and is a disgrace treating her horses like that. She really dug those spurs in taking out her frustration on the horse.

It's not the first time I've seen her doing that. As said before, last year the horse just about fell down the bank cos she laid into it.

Poor show and such a bad example to the sport!! Her sponsor should think twice about whether they want her as a role model endorsing their products!!!
 
It's a shame because she could be a very talented young rider but good luck trying to get that horse to trust her again. Seems to be a bit of a spoilt little maddam, needs to learn to control her temper. She knows that she is in the limelight and there are alot of young riders watching, she should be setting a good example and should think about it before she reacts like that. She should be banned from competing at the next hickstead.
 
Has anyone elso noticed nobody is taking Ellen W side, maybe she will be directed to the forum, and maybe, she will realise that the time has come, to follow JW and MW example, softly softly always wins.....I like many others felt my heart sink, when her horse said no thankyou, you knew what was probably going to follow, sad isn't it, when she has everything going for her.
 
Have to give it to her though she is braver than me- picking a fight with a big quirky mare on top of the Bank, id be to scared if it decided it didnt want to go, and id put my hand up and come out!
 
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Have to give it to her though she is braver than me- picking a fight with a big quirky mare on top of the Bank, id be to scared if it decided it didnt want to go, and id put my hand up and come out!

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Much braver than me - I wouldn't go up the bank to start with.
 
Or make it a top thread and the HH will put it in on thursday. I dont really like her but what i dont like more is that most people think she i perfect!!
 
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Or make it a top thread and the HH will put it in on thursday. I dont really like her but what i dont like more is that most people think she i perfect!!

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Yep, must admit I did like her up until now. Thought she was quite talented but having seen her react like this it certainly made me think twice. I was very shocked
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I've never seen her behave like that before.
 
I always looked up to her as I think it's great to see a woman doing well in what is a very male dominated sport (SJ) and as a younger rider I would like to emmulate how she rides etc. but never would I treat my boy like that because I know that for a start it's wrong and unfair but they always remember whats happened.
Now I think Guy Williams is the person to look up to he came off but picked his horse a handful of grass and was patting it and talking to it the whole way out
 
Isn't it a shame that the brand Whitaker could be damaged by such actions. I have always had upmost respect for the Whitakers, but they are obviously being tainted by association of the brat. She is where she is because of trading on the name, and yes she may be a plucky so and so - but as all the threads suggest - if she does this in public - what on earth do those poor horses go through at home. Why dont we start to contact her "sponsers" and suggest that she is not the ideal role model for the younger generation. If i had done that to one of my ponies as a child I would have been the one having a beating and it would have been sold the next day.
 
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