WHILE the 2026 Longines FEI World Cup title is being decided this weekend in Fort Worth, Gothenburg - where the very first World Cup was held in 1979 - was the setting 35 years ago for one of the many victories in Milton and John Whitaker’s career.

Milton-fever gripped the Scandinavium arena, where John, the reigning champion, and the lovely grey were bidding to notch up a double. Fans, waving homemade banners, witnessed another piece of show jumping history as the British pair duly saw off the challenge from the Mary Hughes-bred Special Envoy (King of Diamonds) and Nelson Pessoa to retain the title.