Biography

British rider Francis Whittington (46) competed and completed here last year with DHI Purple Rain (22^nd) his entry this year also. The pair also completed Burghley (15^th). 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 2^nd 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.