Whitaker family clean up at Aintree show as charity begins survey into welfare

Northallerton's Paul Barker won the big event of the weekend, the Welcome to Yorkshire Jump, with Steven Whitaker in second place.

Louise Whitaker took second in the Welcome to Yorkshire Grade C qualifier and 18-year-old George Whitaker took first and second in the Team Murka and World Class Programme Under-23 British Championship.

It proved to be a very successful weekend for Paul Barker with a first place in a 1.40m class on the Friday with Temple Ryefield, followed by a win in a 1.30m class on the Saturday with Calvaro's Ace and finally he battled it out with Steven Whitaker to take the 1,000 top prize in the Welcome to Yorkshire Jump, riding Elegant C.

This was the first round of a qualifying series for the new Yorkshire International Showjumping Event in Sheffield next Easter.

Barker was particularly pleased with the way Elegant C tackled this course. The mare, owned by Sue Clarke, is only just back in full-time work following nearly two years off following an injury. He paid tribute to Sue Clarke for keeping the horse fit with plenty of road work.

Steven Whitaker, father of Ellen, was only 75 seconds behind Paul's time to take second place, riding Shearwater Mikado. He too had another excellent result at this event when he took the top three places in the accumulator.

James Billington, riding Watch Me IV, in first place and Louise Whitaker, second, riding Blush 11, in the Welcome to Yorkshire Winter Grade C qualifier, will both now be heading for the Yorkshire International event.

George Whitaker's winning round in the Team Murka and World Class Programme Under-23 British Championship was on his brother William's 12-year-old chestnut gelding, Carnaval Path, when he jumped double clear in a jump-off of time of 39.47 seconds.

George is currently lying joint-first with Tim Page on the Under-23 British Championship leaderboard. The championship final will take place at Olympia in December.

THE cost of keeping and caring for their animals is a major worry for many horse owners according to the charity, World Horse Welfare.

The charity is currently carrying out a major public consultation – the Great British Horse Survey – among Britain's equine community.

Around 60 per cent of those taking part have expressed their concern about costs and the charity is warning that people should think very carefully before buying a horse.

Livery, insurance, vets' fees, shoeing, tack and feed all add up and the horse or pony may be with you for 20 to 30 years.

If you are planning to buy, then do your homework first, say the charity's experts.

Don't be tempted into buying a horse that is too much for you and consider what you can afford.

Never buy a horse unseen on the internet, always go and try it and take somebody with you who is experienced with horses. Check the horse's passport and make sure it matches the animal and that it is authentic.

World Horse Welfare also advise making sure the horse is checked by an experienced equine vet, either your own or one who has been recommended.

Don't let yourself be rushed and try the horse out as many times as you feel necessary. Tack it up and see how it behaves in the stable.

Do not take the vendor's word as gospel, say WHW. Dealers can be unscrupulous – and if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Find out about the horse's previous owners. Make sure you are happy with the terms you agree with a dealer and get a comprehensive receipt.

This should cover deposits, cost, payment, passport number, the identity of the horse, when it was tried, a description of the horse and any warranty offers there may be. Also make sure it includes both parties' full names and addresses, phone numbers and signatures.