WELLINGTON, Fla--Daniel Bluman of Israel on Hummer Z won the $65,000, CSI4* Grand Prix 1.50m Qualifier on Friday, Nov. 29 as the holiday season began with the ESP Holiday & Horses Series,
Daniel Bluman on Hummer Z (Photo by Sportfot)From a starting field of 51, eight advanced to the jump-off over a course set by Anthony D'Ambrosio.
Bluman was clean in 38.02 seconds to edge out Nayel Nassar of Eqypt on ESI Ali, who placed second with a time of 38.21 seconds, followed by Alessandra Volpi on Candy Luck Z in third.
“I started riding Hummer Z in April,” said Bluman. “He was developed by one of my greatest idols, and in my opinion, one of the best that ever existed, Beezie Madden.”
“Getting a horse that has been developed by such an incredible horseman and incredible program really makes things easier on my end," he said. "I also have a very good relationship with the Madden team, so I was able to get the complete information and package on how to work with the horse.”
“It’s been about becoming a partnership." said Bluman. "We’ve jumped a lot of clear rounds. He actually jumps clear rounds most of the time. We’ve had a lot of top 10s, a few top-three podiums, and everything. But this is actually our first win, so it’s great. We’re very happy. The horse deserves to win, and yeah, I am really happy with the result today.”
THE HOLIDAY weekend began with Wilton Porter on Sternmarke 3 winning the $6,000, CSI4* 1.40m Holiday & Horses Opener over a field of 37.
Porter was clean in the jump-off to win in a time of 35.04 seconds.
Chloe Reid on Chelsea 179 placed second, clean in 35.31 seconds, and Natalie Dean on Con Calma was third, clean in 36.92 seconds.
Also on Thursday, Nassar on Dorado de Riverland, clean in the jump-off in 355.46 seconds, won the $32,000, CSI4* 1.45m class, which had 40 entries.
Ansgar Holtgers Jr. on Tulum placed second in 35.97 seconds, and Alex Granato on Cupcake was third with a time of 36.27 seconds.
“Dorado is kind of our speed specialist, so he specializes in these 1.45m and 1.50m’s that are against the clock or a two-phase.” Nassar said, “He's had a bit of a quiet time, so we wanted to pull him out and make sure he kept just ticking along and sure enough, he wowed us with a nice win today.”
Hunters had two derbies on Friday: the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship.
John French on Incognito won the $15,000 Derby with a combined score of 370.5.
Jimmy Torano on Laskano placed second with a score of 367,, and Victoria Colvin on Paradigm was third with a score of 355.
In the $10,000 Derby, John French on Kornet’s Touch won with a combined score of 179.
Lainie Wimberly on Decorum placed second with a score of 177, and John French on Calvano was third with a score of 173.5.
FEI competition continues Saturday with the $32,000, CSI4* 1.50m Speed Class, and Sunday will feature the marquee event: the $200,000, CSI4* Grand Prix.
