Me and my kit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JOHN WHITAKER - Olympic show jumper
WHEN I travel abroad I take everything except the kitchen sink, but most of it is for my horse Milton, not me.
My kit is pretty standard: one hat, two coats, several shirts, no gloves - I don't wear them - and two pairs of boots. But I do have a favourite pair that were hand-made for me by Vogel in New York. I save them for the best shows, and I shall be wearing them today. They are very light and thin and they have ribbed soles, made of rubber or composition, so they grip the irons better. I brought five pairs of breeches to Barcelona and used two last Tuesday in the team championship because it was so hot and steamy the first pair got wet through.
I have several ties but sometimes if I go well at a show I tend to keep the same lucky tie without washing it and it gets pretty black by the end. Another important item is galoshes for wet weather. I've got some really thin ones to go over my boots that fit tightly so I can keep them on in the ring and you can't tell I'm wearing them.
Otherwise I take casual things like jeans and shorts, and then a team blazer with dark trousers for receptions and dinners. I very rarely need a dinner jacket. I should mention that my wife Clare packs both for me and the horses.
John Whitaker and Milton compete for Great Britain in the Olympic show jumping final in Barcelona today.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments