Ocala, United States – March 18, 2026 – The United States got off to a good start in the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO 5* on opening day of the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Wednesday, March 18, in Ocala, Florida, United States.

Forty-six jumping athletes entered the $63,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSIO 5* with eight producing clear rounds over the track set in the WEC Grand Arena by Irish course designer Alan Wade (IRL). 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.

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.

Hopes for an American win on opening day were dashed, however, when Donald Whitaker (GBR), 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.

Having settled for second place on opening day, Keenan and her U.S. teammates Natalie Dean (USA), Laura Kraut (USA), and Aaron Vale (USA) 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.

Final Results – $63,000 Wheels Up Qualifier CSIO 5*

1) Donald Whitaker (GBR) & Millfield Colette – 0 / 0 – 33.64

2) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Chagrin d’Amour – 0 / 0 – 33.99

3) Dominik Fuhrer (SUI) & Ghost – 0 / 0 – 35.78

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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