The fabulous Milton (1977 – 1999) was a grey gelding and stood 16.2 hands (168 cm) high. Milton was by Dutch warmblood Marius, out of Irish Draught Aston Answers (first called Epauletta). His grandsire was international jumper Any Questions and his granddam was Pennywort by the thoroughbred Top Walk xx. So Milton‘s lines included successful sportshorses in both paternal and maternal lines, his sire and grandsire being an international level and his dam a Grade A national level jumper.
Milton was bought as a foal by Caroline Bradley from the breeder John Harding-Rolls. She trained him until her death in 1983, after which many offers were made to her parents to buy the gelding, who had already proven his talent but they kept the horse. Stephen Hadley (now FEI TV commentator) rode Milton for a short time, before John Whitaker took over him. The couple entered international competition in 1985. The rest is history!
John Whitaker – Milton at Olympia in 1985. Photo © Kit Houghton.
Caroline Bradley – Marius (Milton’s sire). Photo © Bob Langrish.
Clare Jones – Epauletta (Milton’s dam). Photo © MVR.
Paula Graham – Any Questions (Milton’s grandsire). Photo © Monty.
Paula Graham – Pennywort (Milton’s granddam). Photo © Monty.
