A Harrogate schoolgirl is set to appear in a Channel 4 documentary next month after a series of equestrian successes throughout the year.
6-year-old Gracie-May Whitaker, a pupil at Belmont Grosvenor School, will be featured in a programme about the world-famous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
The Year 2 pupil began riding ponies before she could walk and comes from a well-known equestrian family.
Her great uncles, John and Michael Whitaker, are both Olympic medallists, while her father, George Whitaker, is a European Gold medallist.
More than 15 members of the Whitaker family compete at elite level.
Her mother, Michaela Whitaker, who has also enjoyed success at HOYS and the Royal International Horse Show, 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.”
Gracie began competing nationally last year, when she was crowned Champion at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and took the Supreme Mountain and Moorland title with her pony Thistledown Silver Bullet.
She also rode in the main arena at HOYS during a tribute to her great uncle John, who received the Equestrian of the Year Award.
This year, she has qualified three ponies for both the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead and the Horse of the Year Show.
Her achievements 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.
Next month’s Channel 4 documentary, presented by broadcaster Matt Baker, influencer and equestrian Gemma Owen, and international para dressage athlete Tegan Vincent-Cooke, offers a behind-the-scenes look at HOYS and follows riders, horses and supporters through the event.
Gracie-May is one of the featured riders.
She achieved fourth place in the Lead Rein Welsh Pony of the Year on Thistledown Silver Bullet and fifth on Seamoor Lady Derby. Her pony Annandale Let’s Dance entered the show as a favourite but was withdrawn after becoming unsettled.
Michaela Whitaker 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’.”
Belmont Grosvenor School, based at Swarcliffe Hall in Birstwith, is an independent prep school for children aged three months to 11 years.
BGS Director of Sport, Peter Baird, said:
“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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