TOP British showjumper Robert Whitaker has been fined and handed a suspended ban for kicking a security guard.
The rider from the famous Huddersfield dynasty of riders learned of his punishment yesterday.
The incident happened during the prestigious Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham three months ago.
Now British Showjumping has confirmed that Whitaker had been punished following a stewards’ hearing.
The stewards decided that 29-year-old Whitaker, who is the son of British showjumping Olympian John Whitaker, should be fined £2,500.
They also severely reprimanded and cautioned him about his future behaviour and imposed a six-month ban from all British Showjumping rights and privileges.
The ban is suspended until mid-December this year.
British Showjumping said: “The suspension is to be suspended for a period of 12 months on the proviso that if during this 12-month period from December 14, 2012 any contravention of Rule 82 would invoke the suspended suspension.”
Yorkshireman Whitaker is a three-time British Open champion and part of the famous Whitaker showjumping family dynasty that also includes the likes of Michael Whitaker, Ellen Whitaker and William Whitaker.
He has represented his country in Nations Cup events on more than 20 occasions and currently enjoys a top-10 British showjumping ranking. Whitaker is ranked 68th in the world.
