December 12, 2025 
British rider Donald Whitaker is nothing if not effusive about his partner of three years, the 12-year-old OS mare Millfield Colette.
In the past, he’s said that she’s “one in a million” and that jumping the mare feels like “there’s nothing too big for her.” But Whitaker had just one word for Millfield Colette’s performance in Thursday night’s CSI5* 1.60m Trophée de Genève: “Incredible.”
“I’m a little overwhelmed by my emotions,” Whitaker said. “I’ve dreamed of a victory like this for a long time, and to achieve it on my first day here is unbelievable, fantastic. When I walked the course, I found it very difficult, especially for a competition on the first day.”
Whitaker wasn’t the only one to have reservations about the Gérard Lachat (SUI) and Grégory Bodo (FRA)-designed 13-obstacle track, the first of two qualifiers for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva.
After the time allowed was adjusted, lead-off rider Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Jefferson’s time fault was negated, providing the first clear effort of the day in the field of 49. Others would be slow in coming, until Max Kühner (AUT), 15th to go with Eic Daloubet, provided the next fault-free round.
The time allowed would continue to plague the field, with seven pairs—among them Lillie Keenan (USA) and Argan de Beliard, and Martin Fuchs (SUI) and L&I Lorde—having one or more time faults. A wide, scope-test oxer at element ‘C’ of the triple combination proved difficult for some, while others, including reigning Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47, faulted at the delicate plank at Fence 9.
A difficult rollback turn from the triple combination to a towering, bright blue wall was equally fraught in both the first round and the shortened course. It ultimately proved to be the undoing of Brash and Hello Jefferson, who turned back too sharp in the jump-off, forcing a refusal.
Eight combinations followed, including home-country favorites Steve Guerdat with Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, who pulled two rails; 26-year-old Edouard Schmitz and Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof put in a valiant effort until the heartbreaking final fence, where they went for a hair too much.
Third to return in the jump-off, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann set the clear time to beat on 46.73 seconds with the 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion, Dourkhan Hero Z.
That time would hold for several more combinations, including Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) with Katanga V/h Dingeshof, Peder Fredricson (SWE) with Alcapone des Carmille—who beat the time but pulled a rail—and impressive new combination Cian O’Connor (IRL) and Chatolinue Ps. The latter’s clear time of 47.16 seconds proved good enough for third in their first 5* 1.60m together.
But in the end, it all came down to Whitaker and Millfield Colette—known as “Ellie” in the barn—who put in an electric performance, soaring over the final vertical with ample room to spare.
“In the jump-off, there were only nine of us. That meant we all had to give it our all,” explained Whitaker after the class. “I was perhaps a little slow at the start, but then I had a very good turn towards the wall and my mare just flew over it.
“The start of the tournament couldn’t have been better,” he said.
Like the Whitaker dynasty, including Donald’s uncles John and Michael, Millfield Colette was born and bred in Yorkshire, and had been on Whitaker’s radar since she was a young horse. But it wasn’t until his girlfriend, German rider Nicola Pohl, advocated for the mare that Whitaker bought Ellie—over the phone, and without sitting her—three years ago.
Since then, the pair have won two Grands Prix together, including the 5* 1.60m Agria King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead in 2024. They were part of Great Britain’s silver medal-winning squad at the European Championships this summer, as well as the victorious British team at Longines League of Nations Finals in October.
According to Jumpr, the speedy pair jump clear at 38% in 48 rounds at 1.60m+, but finish in the top 10 67% of the time.
“My mare is incredible,” said Whitaker, adding that he plans to save Millfield Colette for the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. “Whenever it counts, she seems to be successful, and sometimes I don’t know how she does it.”
