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Robert Whitaker & Argento Win the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup CSIO 5* for the Third Time

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Winner. Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Vermento in The Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup at The Agria Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, UK. July 26th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves – NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745 909676

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Hickstead, England – July 26, 2026 – Last year’s winners Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Vermento secured a third win in the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup CSIO 5* on Sunday the final day of the Agria Royal International Horse Show.

Not since the great Foxhunter took Harry Llewellyn to a third victory in 1953 has any horse won this title three times. Now Robert and Vermento have become the first combination in the modern era of the sport to achieve this feat, winning in 2023, 2025 and now 2026.

Robert has also equalled his father tally of wins in this class, with John Whitaker (GBR) senior taking the title in 1986 (Ryan’s Son), 1990 (Milton) and 1997 (Welham). Robert’s uncle Michael Whitaker has won the class four times, with David Broome holding the record with six wins.

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-attachment-id="229407" data-permalink="https://jumpernews.com/2026/07/27/robert-whitaker-argento-win-the-al-shiraaa-king-george-v-gold-cup-csio-5-for-the-third-time/july-26th-2026-mandatory-credit-elli-birch-bootsandhooves-no-unauthorised-use-07745909676/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?fit=1689%2C1126&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1689,1126" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves","camera":"Canon EOS R3","caption":"Winner. Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Vermento in The Al Shira'aa King George V Gold Cup at The Agria Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, UK. July 26th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves – NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745 909676","created_timestamp":"1785083396","copyright":"BOOTS AND HOOVES- c/o 2 Chase Cottages, Church Road, Moreton Essex, CM50JA. – Editorial Use ONLY – NO UNAUTHORISED USE","focal_length":"182","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.0004","title":"July 26th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves- NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745909676","orientation":"0","alt":""}" data-image-title="July 26th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves- NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745909676" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Winner. Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Vermento in The Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup at The Agria Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, UK. July 26th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves – NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745 909676

” data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ alt class=”wp-image-229407″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=150%2C100&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?w=1689&ssl=1 1689w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>

Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Vermento

Drawn eighth to go in the first round, Robert produced the first of the five clear rounds with the 13-year-old son of Argento, meaning he had the unenviable first draw in the jump-off. Setting off round the shortened track, he and Vermento repeated their clear round in a time of 43.34 seconds to set the target for the others.

Canada’s Nicole Walker (CAN) and Panter JVH were the next in, and they finished up on the clock in 42.07sec, but a slip going round the edge of the open water altered their rhythm and they knocked down the last fence. Brazil’s Stephanie Macieira (BRA) was hoping to become the second woman to win the King George since the class was opened up to both sexes in 2008. She produced the only other double clear on Novak de Kalvarie, but crossed the tape more than a second slower than Robert to take second place.

Robert’s cousin Jack Whitaker (GBR) and Jack JL had two down to finish fourth, while Britain’s Nations Cup heroine Jessica Mendoza had to settle for fifth place with Summerhouse.

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Winner. Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Vermento in The Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup at The Agria Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, UK. July 26th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves – NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745 909676

” data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ alt class=”wp-image-229409″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=150%2C100&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.26.99.99-Hickstead-CSIO-5-GP-Cel-Robert-Whitaker-Vermento-2.jpg?w=1689&ssl=1 1689w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>

Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Vermento

“To win it three times is incredible, what can I say?” said an emotional Robert afterwards. “I didn’t have the best draw, having to jump off as first to go. I know this ring is very big and open, and it’s easy to knock one down, so I just wanted to do a safe round. To be honest, I thought I was a fraction slow, and when I was clear after the second to last fence, I probably took a bit more time than I should have. But it paid off!”

Robert also paid tribute to his long-term owners, Caroline and Stephen Blatchford. “They’re fantastic owners, and we’ve got a lot of horses coming through,” said Robert. 

Today brought the Agria Royal International Horse Show to a close, but the showjumping action continues at Hickstead with the Al Shira’aa British Young Horse Championships, which take place from 13-16 August. Spectator admission and parking is free. 

Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Vermento

Final Results – €165,400 Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup CSIO 5*

1) Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Vermento – 0 / 0 – 43.34

2) Stephanie Macieira (BRA) & Novak de Kalvarie – 0 / 0 – 44.70

3) Nicole Walker (CAN) & Panter JVH – 0 / 4 – 42.70

Source: Press Release (edited) from the Hickstead Press Office for Hickstead – All England Jumping Club

Photos: © AEJC – Hickstead / Elli Birch / Boots & Hooves Photography / Pauline Ullmann-Davis 

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