Robert Whitaker and Vermento Write History with a Third Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup Title at Hickstead 2026.

Seventy-three years after Foxhunter, Vermento becomes the first horse in the modern era to win the King George three times.

Robert Whitaker (GBR) claimed the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup CSIO5* at the Agria Royal International Horse Show Hickstead 2026 in the International Arena, his third victory in this legendary class after 2023 and 2025, equalling his father John Whitaker’s tally of three titles. Whitaker came home in 43.34 seconds as the first rider in the jump-off to seal a historic triumph. “To win it three times is incredible, what can I say? I didn’t have the best draw and jumped off first. 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.”

Equine America Vermento is a 13-year-old black BE/SIES stallion (Argento x Skippy 12), owned by Brian Stephen and Caroline Blatchford, the first horse in the modern era of show jumping to win the King George V Gold Cup on three occasions, matching the legendary feat of Foxhunter with Harry Llewellyn in 1953.

Stephanie Macieira (BRA) delivered the region’s outstanding result, finishing second with Novak de Kalvarie, a 13-year-old black BWP gelding (Catoki x Calvaro) owned by Bonne Chance Farm, clocking 44.70 seconds, the only other combination to produce a double-clear jump-off effort. Nicole Walker (CAN) completed the podium in third with Panter JVH, an 11-year-old bay BWP stallion (Le Blue Diamond van’t Ruyters x Toulon) owned by Walker herself, with 4 faults in 42.07 seconds, the fastest jump-off time but penalized after a slip near the water complex.

Jack Whitaker (GBR) finished fourth with Jack JL, a 12-year-old grey KWPN stallion (Quasimodo Z x Astrello) owned by Candice Reilly, with 8 faults in 44.92 seconds. Jessica Mendoza (GBR), Nations Cup heroine for Great Britain, completed the Top 5 with Summerhouse, an 11-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding (Guidam Sohn x Indoctro) owned by Mendoza herself, with 16 faults in 44.03 seconds.

Latin & Pan American Presence

Stephanie Macieira (BRA) was the standout Latin and Pan American performer of the day with a magnificent second place, becoming the only woman to produce a double-clear alongside the winner. Nicole Walker (CAN) was third. Kyle Timm (CAN) eleventh with 4 faults, Luis Alejandro Plascencia (MEX) fourteenth with 4 faults, Amy Millar (CAN) eighteenth with 4 faults, Kyle King (CAN) thirty-second with 12 faults, Gabriel Machado (BRA) thirty-sixth with 16 faults. Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo (BRA) retired from competition, while Nicolás Toro (COL), Lucy Davis (USA) and Kent Farrington (USA), No. 1 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Pan American Show Jumping Ranking, all withdrew.

Top 5 Results — Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup CSIO5* | Agria Royal International Horse Show — Hickstead 2026