OCALA, Fl--Great Britain’s Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette won the $63,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN on Wednesday, March 18, the opening day of the Longines League of Nations at the World Equestrian Center.
Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Eight from a field of 46 were clean over the course set by Irish course designer Alan Wade, but two, Rene Dittmer of Germany and Nina Mallevaey of France, opted not to return for the jump-off, leaving six to compete for the first major title of the week.
Going first in the jump-off, Dominik Fuhrer of Switzerland on Ghost set the time to beat with a clear round in 35.78 seconds, eventually finishing third.
Lillie Keenan on Chagrin d'Amour went into the lead after finishing clean in 33.99 seconds.
But Whitaker, the last to go, was clean in 33.64 seconds for not only his first at World Equestrian Center in Ocala but also his first on American soil.
Keenan was second, with Kevin Staut of France on Feline de Hus HDC fourth with four faults in 32.85, Hillary Scott of Australia on Oaks Milky Wan fifth with four faults in 35.56, and Callie Schott on Garant sixth with eight faults in 36.93.
“I did think it was tough enough,” said Whitaker of the course. “It took a bit of jumping with a lot of related distances and a lot of choices to be made. It was quite strong for the first day.”
Whitaker began riding Millfield Colette in 202, and he rode her when Great Britain won the 2025 League of Nations Final in Barcelona last October.
“SHE'S NATURALLY fast, so sometimes the problem is that you end up going too fast because she’s trying to win, and I’m actually trying to slow it down and do the nicest round I can,” he said. “She’s very fiery. She’s a bit of a typical mare in a way. She likes to have people around her, but she likes to boss them around as well. She has a humongous heart. Like today, going in that ring, she just grows. You feel it the second you start trotting; her head comes up, and she can’t wait to get going. She’s incredible.”
Having placed second on opening day, Keenan and her U.S. teammates Natalie Dean, Laura Kraut, and Aaron Vale will hope to defend their title in the two-round $770,000 League of Nations Ocala team competition.
The U.S. will face off against Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 5:15 p.m. ET.
Ocala serves as the second of five stops on the League of Nations tour and is the only event held in North America.
Abu Dhabi, Ocala, Rotterdam.Netherlands and Gassin – St. Tropez, France comprise the Longines League of Nations series leading up to the final in Barcelona from Oct. 1 to 4, 2026.
