24
Oct
Harrogate equestrian prodigy, aged 6, to feature in TV documentary
A Harrogate schoolgirl is to be featured in a Channel 4 documentary next month about the world-famous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Six-year-old Gracie May Whitaker, a year 2 pupil at Belmont Grosvenor School in Nidderdale, comes from a family of horse-riding celebrities, and was riding ponies before she could walk.
More than 15 members of her family have competed at elite level. Her great uncles, John and Michael Whitaker, are both Olympic medallists and her father, George Whitaker, is a European Gold medallist.
Next month’s Channel 4 documentary, presented by broadcaster Matt Baker, takes a look behind the scenes at HOYS, showcasing stories of the riders, horses and supporters.
Gracie May is one of the riders featured. Having achieved fourth place in the Lead Rein Welsh Pony of the Year on Thistledown Silver Bullet and fifth place on Seamoor Lady Derby, Gracie’s horse Annandale Let’s Dance went into HOYS as a strong favourite. But he became upset by the atmosphere and Gracie made the decision to withdraw him from the class.
Her mum, Michaela Whitaker – also an equestrian star, having won titles at HOYS and the Royal International Horse Show – said:
Their journey was filmed by Channel 4 and Gracie was interviewed and the cameras followed her behind the scenes.
She showed true professionalism and empathy for her pony, and she came out smiling, hugging her pony and later spoke beautifully in her follow-up interview, explaining that ‘they’re just horses, not machines, and like us, they have off-days'.
Gracie May began competing nationally last year, and was crowned Champion at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and taking Supreme Mountain and Moorland with her pony Thistledown Silver Bullet. She rode in the main arena at last year’s HOYS during a tribute to her great uncle John, who received the Equestrian of the Year Award.
Gracie May with one of her trophies.
This year, her success has continued, qualifying three ponies for both the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead and the Horse of the Year Show. Highlights include winning at the Royal International, taking the Supreme title at the National Winter Championships, earning Supreme Novice Champion at the Summer Championships and retaining her Supreme Mountain and Moorland title on Thistledown Silver Bullet.
Her mum Michaela said:
We are so proud of Gracie May’s recent equestrian achievements, as well as her dedication, maturity and love for her ponies.
She has had an incredible year. Her dream is to follow in her family’s footsteps and one day represent her country internationally in show jumping.
Belmont Grosvenor School's director of sport, Peter Baird, said he and the entire school community was extremely proud of Gracie May’s equestrian success.
We could not be prouder of Gracie May’s equestrian success and we follow her achievements closely. She is ambitious, resilient, nurturing and joyful – the embodiment of the BGS core values – and has an extremely bright future ahead of her.
We celebrate all our pupil’s achievements weekly during a celebration assembly in school, which enables children to share their successes with the wider school community. And we can’t wait to tune into the Channel 4 documentary next month.
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