The showjumper talks to Stephanie Bateman about moving back home to Yorkshire, being part of the Whitaker dynasty and what the future has in store
But for 27-year-old Joe Clayton, it “just felt like the right time” and this autumn, he and his girlfriend, fellow rider Georgina Stirling, packed up their belongings — and a few nice horses — and headed back up north to his childhood home in Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
“A couple of people had started asking me to ride their horses, plus Michael’s son Jack had just left school to join the yard,” says Joe in his soft Yorkshire accent. “I’d learnt a hell of a lot and it was the perfect time to take what I’d learnt and set up on my own.”
Although the facilities at his mother June’s livery yard are “fairly basic” compared with Michael’s stunning Nottinghamshire yard, Joe is happy to be home.
“It’s a lot different to Michael’s, which had every luxury, but it’s everything I need,” says Joe, who playfully admits there are still posters of Milton on his bedroom walls at home. “And it’s actually great to be back home and enjoying Mum’s cooking again.”
We’re sitting in the café at Keysoe Equestrian Centre on a bitterly cold November evening. Joe has just trotted up his horses due to compete over the weekend in the two-star show. There’s no groom just yet, so it’s just him and Georgina taking care of the four horses he has there to compete, while his mum helps out at home.
Denne historien er fra December 14, 2017-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra December 14, 2017-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions