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‘Ready to show everyone what she’s capable of’: exciting mare delights proud connections and King Edward makes long-awaited 5* comeback

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • William Whitaker and superstar mare Millfield Quickstep produced a coming-of-age performance to win the 1.50m grand prix at the CSIO3* Longines EEF Nations Cup of Lier, Belgium.

    The duo lined up yesterday (10 May) among 13 combinations in the jump-off and won with a 0.2sec margin over Belgian rider Gilles Thomas (Happy Landais), claiming the €15,000 top prize.

    “I managed to watch a couple of the earlier riders so I had a rough idea of what I needed to do,” said William, who was drawn eighth for the jump-off. “But I had some quick ones coming after me as well so I just had to be as quick as I could without doing anything too risky.

    “There were a lot of turnbacks, so it was all about getting in a good rhythm at the start then just getting your turns as quickly as you could. Quickstep is very with you in those kinds of jump-offs, which makes a massive difference.”

    William Whitaker: “Millfield Stud is getting recognition for the years of hard work”

    William Whitaker has been riding the 11-year-old mare Millfield Quickstep (Quiwi Dream x San Patrignano Cassini) for the past four years. She is owned and was bred by the Millfield Stud in Yorkshire; Brian Thompson produced the mare through her early years.

    “They’ve bred some really good horses and they’re getting recognition for the years of hard work that go into breeding!” William told H&H.

    “Brian took her time with her until she was seven, then at that stage I just carried on the same. She’s stepped up a bit every year and now she’s feeling like she’s ready to go out there and show everyone what she’s really capable of. She feels in a very good place, physically as well.

    “She’s always had good results through the years, but it’s good to finally get her first three-star grand prix win, so I’m delighted for everyone involved because there’s a lot of hard work that goes in over the years – it’s nice to get a result on the board. It felt very much like a coming-of-age performance; she’s feeling really strong and confident in everything she’s doing.

    “I’ve really needed another top horse but you’ve got to be patient; it takes time. It’s great to get the year off to a good start, too,” he said.

    Millfield Quickstep: a dream horse

    William Whitaker  describes Millfield Quickstep as the dream horse to ride and look after.

    “She’s a funny one really because she’s so laid back, but it’s all in there, she just keeps it to herself a bit,” he said. “When you see her walking round the collecting ring you think ‘Bloody hell, she looks half asleep!’ then she goes in the ring and just lights up. Utamaro was like that too actually. They just know.”

    William was fifth rider for the British team, which finished second to Belgium in Friday’s Longines EEF Nations Cup. The quartet of Jodie Hall McAteer (La Gupardie), Sienna Charles with Stall Zet’s Stardust, Emily Ward, making her senior team debut on Wild Star HF and Harry Charles, debuting the exciting nine-year-old Fighting Phil in a Nations Cup team, finished on a team score of just four faults.

    “I was very pleased with all my riders’ efforts, they were focused and rode well on mainly inexperienced horses,” said chef d’equipe Matt Lanni. “This is what this series is for – it tests both the horse and rider to perform and the least experienced horses have the chance to develop. It’s a fantastic series, which allows up-and-coming riders to get into three-star shows, which can prove difficult, and I’m pleased the governing bodies support us and send teams to compete in this series.

    “The competition was tight all the way through and the home team Belgium had to jump clear in the final round to beat us.”

    Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward in the Paris Olympic showjumping

    Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward during the Paris Olympics showjumping individual qualifier.

    Welcome back King Edward!

    Also making headlines on the international showjumping circuit this week was crowd favourite King Edward. Henrik von Eckermann and his world championship-winning partner made a long-awaited return to the top level at the Longines Versilia Horse Show in Italy. The 16-year-old gelding returned from a year on the sidelines in April, competing at one-star level before stepping up to the top tier in Italy this week, jumping for just four faults in Sunday’s five-star grand prix. Henrik won an early five-star speed class riding the 10-year-old Steely Dan. The Swedish rider forms part of a strong contingent heading for the CSI5* classes at Royal Windsor this week (15-17 May).

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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