TORONTO, CANADA--Mark Bluman of Israel on Phelina de Septon won the $40,000, CSI5*-W International Challenge for the second year in a row on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Royal Horse Show during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Trophy presentation (Photo by Ben Radvanyi)Over the 1.45m speed course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal, Bluman finished clean in an untouchable 45.50 seconds.
Aaron Vale on Gray’s Inn finished second in 47.26 seconds, while Amy Millar of Canada on Christiano was third in 48.44 seconds.
“Every time I ride Phelina, I feel confident,” said Bluman, who has been partnered with the 11-year-old mare for just under two years. “I have to make a mistake for her not to do well. So today I was feeling pretty good and, it was a good class.”
The Royal Horse Show, which runs Nov. 6-15, is part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world.
A nine-day showcase of equestrian sport, the show features a wide variety of disciplines, from international show jumping and dressage to national show hunters, indoor eventing, and an array of unique horse breeds, with the marquee event, the CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Toronto, set for Saturday, Nov. 14.
The custom of dressing in black tie or tails is still maintained at the Royal.
THE CSI5* International Challenge had a competitive field, with seven of the World’s top 30 ranked jumping riders in the lineup.
Mark Bluman on Phelina de Septon (Photo by Ben Rodvanyi)Fresh off their win in the Canadian Show Jumping Championships earlier in the week, Millar on Christiano set the time to beat, albeit with a slightly wider turn to Jump 5, a wide liverpool oxer.
Millar was overtaken when Vale on Gray’s Inn shaved nearly 1.5 seconds off her time and increasing the pressure on the remainder of the field.
But Bluman, making an impressive turn back to the oxer-vertical combination at 3ab and leaving out a stride to the oxer at 7, finished nearly two seconds in front, never to be caught.
“I actually didn’t get to see anybody. I was just riding my plan,” Bluman said. “Phelina actually thinks ahead of me. She knows the game. She has an unbelievable record, and every time goes to show, she produces a good result. I’m very lucky to have her.”
Bluman was the show’s Leading International Rider with two CSI5*-W victories last year, and he is already in hot pursuit to repeat the feat.
“Phelina was great here last year. These classes suit her very well—she’s a speed demon,” Bluman said. “We’re very happy to start the Royal again this way. Thank you to the fans for coming out to cheer!”
In the first 5* class of the show. Sean Jobin of Canada on Arkuga won the $32,000 CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome.
Jobin was clean in 21.13 seconds, while Rene Dittmer of Germany on Caldwell 4 finished second in 21.61 seconds, followed by Nicole Walker of Canada on Eve d’Ouilly, third in 22.39.
“I’m feeling awesome. That was a great way to start the week for sure!” Jobin said. “It’s special to win any time in a five-star week, but just being in Toronto in front of a home crowd. It’s really cool to hear the Canadian anthem here.”
“He’s just a really quick horse overall,” Jobin said. “He’s really quick at the jumps, and he’s really quick with his step. I thought when he made that second inside turn smooth—it was tight—and jumped that fence clear, I thought we had a really good chance to win.”
Jobin has been partnered with Arkuga for more than three years. T
“It’s been a long time understanding him and getting to know him. It took me a while to figure out the way he wants to go with speed,” Jobin said. “I think the biggest thing with him is to just let him go quick. Whatever feels right, is right with him. He’s so quick in the air that you don’t have to overthink it.”
