Source:  Various

Ellen Whitaker, twenty-three-year-old member of the tremendously successful show jumping Whitaker family, has announced her engagement to actor Henry Cavill.  The couple met in 2009 at the Olympia International Horse show and have been seeing each for over a year.

Whitaker is the daughter of Stephen and Carol Whitaker.  Stephen and his brothers, John, Michael, and Ian were taught to ride by their mother at the family farm in Yorkshire.  John, and Michael have ridden at the top levels of international sport for over thirty years.  She also has several cousins who are show jumping competitors as well.

Father Stephen trains Ellen, along with her three brothers, and also competes.  Ellen's mother Carol was also successful in show jumping, and currently manages the family's busy competition schedule.

Ellen was a medal winner in the pony ranks and also achieved a team bronze medal in the 2007 European championships.  She has ridden on 16 nation's cup teams.

Henry Cavill, 28, is an actor in both television and film.  He was born on Jersey and developed an interest in acting while in prep school.  He appeared in 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (2002) and 'Stardust' (2007), and portrayed Charles Brandon, the 1st Duke of Sussex in 'The Tudors' series on Showtime.  He has recently been cast as Superman in the upcoming 'Man of Steel.'

Ellen made the announcement on her website, www.ellenwhitaker.com.