Милтон – шампиондыққа дейінгі жол

Show jumping horse

Marius Silver Jubilee, better known as Milton, (16 February 1977 – 4 July 1999) was a successful showjumping horse ridden by John Whitaker. He was a grey gelding and stood high at the withers.

Foaled in 1977, Milton was by Dutch Warmblood Marius, out of Irish Draught Aston Answers. His lines included successful sportshorses in both paternal and maternal lines, his sire being an international level and his dam a Grade A national level jumper. When Milton was young, Caroline Bradley, who had ridden Marius to international success, told her parents Milton would be her Olympic mount. She trained him until her death in 1983, after which many offers were made to her parents to buy the gelding, who had already proven his talent. They kept the horse. Stephen Hadley, who later became an FEI TV show jumping commentator, rode Milton for a short time, before he became a mount of the world renowned international rider John Whitaker in 1985 and entered international competition.

During his competitive career, Milton achieved many international victories, and became the first horse outside the racing world to win more than £1.25 million in prize money. Throughout his career, Milton rarely touched a rail or refused a fence. The gelding was a favourite with the crowd, many times ending a successful round with a leap into the air. Even after his retirement at the 1994 Olympia Horse Show, he was adored by all. Milton died on 4 July 1999. He was buried on the Whitakers' farm in Yorkshire.