Francis Whittington

Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th May 2025

Francis Whittington

Great Britain
  • 49 - Hasty Imp

Biography

British rider Francis Whittington (46) competed and completed here last year with DHI Purple Rain (22nd) his entry this year also. The pair also completed Burghley (15th). Francis who has completed Badminton on seven previous occasions, runs a training and competition yard in Rotherfield, East Sussex

Francis learnt to ride at his mother’s riding school and began competing with the Eridge Pony Club. Aged 16 he was selected for the British Pony squad with Northdown Nova and represented GB at the 1993 Pony European Championships in Hasselt (Belgium) winning team silver and individual gold. He was later 2nd in the British Young Rider Championships in 1997,

Francis a BE accredited trainer, left school to pursue a career in horses. He also trained as an equine dentist and after practising for ten years, decided to concentrate on eventing fulltime and now runs his yard in East Sussex. He completed his first four-star at Burghley (2001) and in 2006 completed his first Badminton with Osh Kosh.

He was reserve for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. In 2014 Francis won his first CCI3*at Blenheim in 2014 (Easy Target) and that year became the British Champion. In 2015 he was an individual member of the British squad for the 2015 European Championships at Blair Castle (Easy Target).

Francis is married to Samantha and the couple has a 15-year-old son, Max a keen showjumper who also events and a 10-year old daughter. Outside of eventing Francis enjoys reading, WW2 films spending time with the family and sleeping. His younger sister Bryony has also competed at four-star level

DHI Purple Rain (aka Prince) is a 14-year-old Dutch-bred KWPN gelding. He is by the international showjumper Arthos R out of a mare by Niveau. He was acquired from Ian Woodhead as a 5-year-old and has been produced by Francis and owned by the same owners over that time.

Entries

Hasty Imp

ISH, Ireland, 2004
16.2hh , bay , gelding

Sire Master Imp

Dam Hasty Beach VII (Malibu Beach)

Owner(s): Margaret Smith, Polegate, E. Sussex

Notable Results

2023 – Burghley CCI5*L 19th DHI Purple Rain

2023 – Hartpury CCI4*S 40th DHI Purple Rain

2022 – Burghley CCI5* ret DHI Purple Rain

2022 – Barbury Castle CCI4*S 10th DHI Purple Rain

2022 – Houghton Hall CCIO4*S 13th DHI Purple Rain

2021 – Bicton CCI5*L 14th DHI Purple Rain

2021 – Hartpury CCI4*S 51 DHI Purple Rain

2019 – Blenheim CCI4*L 37th DHI Purple Rain

2015 – Blair Castle CH-EU-CCI3* Ret Easy target

2015 – Burghley 30th Hasty Imp

2014 – Pau CCI4* 18th West Side

2014 – Burghley CCI4* 25th Hasty Imp

2012 – Burghley CCI4* 17th Sir Percival

2011 – Burghley CCI4* 13th Sir Percival, 53rd Easy Target

2011 – Luhmuhlen CCI4* 11th Sir Percival

2010 – Burghley CCI4* 10th Sir Percival

2010 – Luhmuhlen CCI4* EL Sir Percival

2006 – Burghley CCI4* Ret’d Osh Kosh

2004 – Burghley CCI4* 34th Spin Doctor

Badminton

2023 – 22nd DHI Purple Rain

2016 – 21st Hasty Imp

2015 – 51st Hasty Imp, ret Fernhill Highlight

2014 – Ret Easy Target

2013 – 31st Easy Target, 36th Sir Percival

2010 – EL Sir Percival

2009 –15th Sir Percival

2006 – 28th Osh Kosh