William Whitaker’s Lier Grand Prix plans come off with victory in the CSIO3* EEF 1.50 Grand Prix powered by Stephex
Monday 11 May 2026
William Whitaker pulled a world ranking 3* Grand Prix win out of the bag at the CSIO3* EEF event in Lier, Belgium, with Millfield Quickstep.
“The standard had been very high all week; in the Grand Prix jump-off, every rider stood a good chance of winning,” said William.
A total of 59 riders faced Dutch course-designer Henk Linders’ 13-fence, 16-effort 1.50m track but quality was evident here, and 13 posted initial clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off.
“There was a lot of good riders and good horses,” said William. “When I walked the course, I thought it was tricky enough with a lot of questions asked and it all depended on the time allowed as to how much pressure we were under in that respect. I was surprised when three out of the first five jumped clear but it evened itself out; it was a good, fair, well-built course and there was always going to be a a fair few clears with the standard of horse and rider.”
Drawn midway, William still had several fast riders behind him so had to set a target, including Belgium’s fast and experienced Gilles Thomas in the final draw. William pulled off every turn on Millfield Quickstep, but Gilles gave him a run for his money. However, despite his best efforts, Gilles and Happy Landais proved 0.20 seconds in arrears for second place. Joe Trunkfield and the up-and-coming Corvette VH Reukenis Z also joined the jump-off, but four faults second time out dropped them to tenth.
“She’s naturally quick but deceptive and she’s always with you when you’re riding her. I knew what I had to do and everything came up well for me in the round and when it’s like that, she’s usually there or thereabouts,” said William, on the Quiwi Dream x San Patrignano Cassini 11-year-old mare.
William has chosen his shows and travelling abroad carefully with Millfield Quickstep, and the pair won a world ranking 4* 1.50m class on the Spanish Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera.
“She’s pretty easy going but I was quite mindful at the beginning of the year not to do too much early as we had a long summer ahead. I wanted to get started in Spain so she had enough jump at a decent standard under her belt but still had plenty in the tank for the rest of the summer,” he added.
Holly Smith was also on form, winning the initial 3* EEF 1.45m on Sing Z. Eighty competitors came forward in this speed class and Grand Prix qualifier over a 12-fence, 14-effort speed track with Holly in determined, flying mode on the Copycat Z x Contact VD Heffinck eight-year-old to take the top spot by 0.81 seconds. William and Millfield Quickstep also gave a show of form to finish third.
Twenty-four hours later, Holly and Sing Z jumped into second in the 3* 1.40m two-phase 1.19 seconds of the pace. Holly also picked up third in a 3* 1.50m with the eight-year-old Nike Van Het Singraven (Andiamo Semilly x Haarlem) as 20 of the original 68 starters accessed the jump-off. Holly and the promising year-old jumped another clear to finish 0.92 seconds behind the winner, Niels Fockaert on Olympic Van De Noordheuvel. Joe was also double clear on the promising Corvette VH Reukenis Z for fifth.
James Winter lands a five-star win in Italy
James Winter mastered a series of tight turns to land the 5* 1.45m on Lollypop GPH at the Versilia Horse Show in Lido di Camaiore, Italy, presented by Giorgio Armani.
Twenty-two competitors tackled this speed course of 12 fences and 14 jumping efforts designed by Uliano Vezzani. Hickstead-based Irishman Shane Breen with Be Alcantara set an early target but a few horses later, James found the edge on the 10-year-old Dallas x Quintero mare to ease into the top spot by 0.27 seconds.
Chloe Winchester is top of the podium in Germany
Chloe Winchester triumphantly claimed the world ranking 2* 1.45m in Bevern, Germany, with Freaky Dancer Z.
A big entry of 92 came forward in this two-phase class but Chloe outpaced the lot on the For Pleasure x Carthago 10-year-old to win by 0.27 seconds.
Chloe picked up second in the 2* 1.40m Accumulator on the nine-year-old Exited Z (E-Star x Toulon) 1.17 seconds behind the winning time. Zoe Potter also came home on maximum points for fourth with Loma De Reve L.H.
Zoe clinched victory in the Seven-year-old Final on Comthargo’s Jewel. Twelve from the start list of 31 returned for the jump-off, Zoe and the Comthago VDL x Emerald stallion calmly securing the win by 0.12 seconds.
Joe Whitaker takes a four-star podium place in France
Joe Whitaker claimed second place in a 4* 1.45m with Vagalenco GF in Bourg en Bresse, France.
Fifty riders set out in this 1.45m speed class with Joe adopting a forward yet deceptive pace all the way on the Vagabonde De La Pomme x Clearway 10-year-old but just missed out on the win by 0.19 seconds. Laura Renwick was close behind for fourth aboard the home-bred eight-year-old NFS Top Gun.
Image: William Whitaker
