TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published May 12, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
William Whitaker and the British-bred Millfield Quickstep secured their first 3* Grand Prix victory at Lier, marking a significant milestone for the 11-year-old mare.
What Happened
British rider William Whitaker and the 11-year-old mare Millfield Quickstep achieved a significant career milestone on May 10, winning the €45,000 CSIO3* Grand Prix at the Longines EEF Nations Cup in Lier, Belgium. The pair topped a competitive 13-horse jump-off, finishing just 0.2 seconds ahead of Belgian rider Gilles Thomas and Happy Landais.
Whitaker, who has developed the mare over four years, navigated a technical short course emphasizing tight turns and rhythm. "Quickstep is very with you in those kinds of jump-offs," Whitaker noted, describing the win as a "coming-of-age" performance for the horse.
This victory capped a successful weekend for British showjumping in Belgium. Earlier, the British team, comprising Jodie Hall McAteer, Sienna Charles, Emily Ward, and Harry Charles, finished second in the Nations Cup, narrowly losing to Belgium after a tight final round. The CSIO3* Lier event is part of the Longines EEF Nations Cup series, designed to give emerging riders and less experienced horses exposure to team competition pressures.
Why It Matters
This victory validates William Whitaker's four-year patient approach to developing Millfield Quickstep, a mare bred and owned by Millfield Stud in Yorkshire. For the broader industry, this result highlights the success of domestic breeding programs. Millfield Quickstep was produced through her seven-year-old year by Brian Thompson before moving to Whitaker, demonstrating that patient, long-term development can yield top-tier international results.
The return of Henrik von Eckermann's world-champion partner, King Edward, to five-star competition during the same week signals a shift in international rankings as top combinations prepare for major summer championships. King Edward, an elite equine athlete, returned to the 5* level at the Longines Versilia Horse Show.
Discipline Context
In international showjumping, the transition from two-star (CSI2*) to three-star (CSIO3*) and five-star (CSI5*) levels is a significant hurdle. Whitaker's success with a "homegrown" British horse provides a roadmap for owners and breeders on the importance of physical and mental longevity in sport horses. Managing elite equine athletes, like King Edward at 16 years of age, requires careful consideration to maintain competitive performance.
Quick Facts:
- Event: CSIO3* Longines EEF Nations Cup of Lier
- Winner: William Whitaker and Millfield Quickstep (GBR)
- Prize Money: €15,000 for first place
- Breeding: Millfield Quickstep (Quiwi Dream x San Patrignano Cassini)
- Team Results: Great Britain finished 2nd in the Nations Cup
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.