Opening Day of Longines League of Nations™ at World Equestrian Center – Ocala

19 MAR 26 Ocala, FL

A rider in equestrian gear guides a gray horse over a blue and white

Ocala, FL – Great Britain’s Donald Whitaker claimed victory in the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN on opening day of the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Wednesday, March 18, in Ocala, FL.

Equestrian rider in black attire jumps a white horse over a decorated obstacle during a show jumping event.
Donald Whitaker (GBR) scored an opening day victory riding Millfield Colette in the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Forty-six jumping athletes entered the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN with eight producing clear rounds over the track set in the WEC Grand Arena by Irish course designer Alan Wade. Two athletes, Rene Dittmer (GER) and Nina Mallevaey (FRA), opted not to return for the jump-off, leaving six to battle it out for the first major title of the week.

A rider in black attire and a helmet guides a brown horse over a show jumping obstacle decorated with colorful flowers.
Jump-off pathfinder Dominik Fuhrer (SUI) placed third riding Ghost in the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

As the first rider to return for the tie breaker, Dominik Fuhrer (SUI) set the pace with a clear round in 35.78 seconds riding Ghost, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Cantos) owned by Albert and Ingrid Grob. Lillie Keenan (USA) moved into the lead after crossing the timers in 33.99 seconds with Chagrin d’Amour, a nine-year-old stallion (Candy de Nantuel x Stakkato) owned by her family’s Chansonette Farm LLC.

A rider in a red jacket and helmet guides a horse over a high Longines-branded jump at an equestrian event, with a white pavilion in the background.
Lillie Keenan (USA) took second place for the home side with Chagrin d’Amour in the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Hopes for an American win on opening day were dashed, however, when Whitaker, the final challenger, left all the rails in place and stopped the clock in 33.64 seconds riding Millfield Colette. The win marked not only his first at World Equestrian Center – Ocala but also his first on American soil.

“I did think it was tough enough,” said Whitaker of the challenging course design. “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.”

A rider in formal attire jumps a gray horse over a colorful obstacle during a show jumping competition.
Donald Whitaker (GBR) & Millfield Colette. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Whitaker began competing with Millfield Colette in 2022. The 13-year-old grey Oldenburg mare (Cornet Obolensky x Clearway) that he owns in partnership with Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH & Co.KG was his partner when Great Britain won the 2025 Longines League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona (ESP) last October.

A rider on a white horse poses with two people beside a jump bar and a large "UP" sign at an equestrian event.
Donald Whitaker (GBR) aboard Millfield Colette is presented as the winner of the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO5*-LLN by Jon Garner (left) and Jennifer Glass of World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

“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 remarked. “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.”

A rider in a black jacket and white pants guides a gray horse over a yellow and white jump surrounded by flower arrangements during an equestrian event.
Donald Whitaker (GBR) & Millfield Colette. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Having settled for second place 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 Longines 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 prestigious Longines League of Nations™ tour and is the only event held in North America. Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), Rotterdam (NED), and Gassin – St. Tropez (FRA) comprise the Longines League of Nations™ series leading up to the final in Barcelona (ESP) from October 1 to 4, 2026.

Competition at WEC – Ocala continues Thursday, March 19, highlighted by the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Live streaming of competition from World Equestrian Center – Ocala is available throughout the week on ClipMyHorse.TV. Fans can also relive the excitement of the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala on CBS Sports Network on Saturday, March 28, at 10 p.m. ET with an encore presentation on Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m. ET.

Orders of go, live scoring and results. 

Longines League of Nations™ Ocala Information

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.