Daniel Bluman and Hummer Z Capture First CSI5* Win of Traverse City Season
The start of the final week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, coincided with the season five debut of Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ), marking the tours fifth year running at Traverse City Horse Shows.
Part of the MLSJ tour since its inception, Daniel Bluman (ISR) knows the format well and used it to his advantage to snag the very first CSI5* win aboard Hummer Z, owned by Abigail Wexner. He emerged atop the podium from an impressive field of international pairs in the $63,000 ClipMyHorse TV CSI5* Qualifier.
Marina Azevedo (BRA) built a tough track in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, with ten pairs producing clear rounds and advancing to the jump-off. Bluman’s draw put him in the middle of the jump-off order, and he took all the risks necessary to capture and maintain the top spot.
“Hummer was fantastic today,” Bluman said of the11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (VDL Harley x Hemmingway). “I thought he jumped beautifully in the first round and then amazing again in the jump-off.”
The pace was quick when Bluman stepped in, but he knew he could take the speed up a notch without giving it everything he had.
“Luckily for me Hummer is a fast-moving horse and he felt in amazing form today,” he remarked on his jump-off strategy. “My plan was to go eighty percent and it did work out. It was very close margins, but I think I played it smart. I just wanted to have a smooth round and let him leave the ring on a great note.”
Coming up just short for second place was Kristen Vanderveen (USA) with Bull Run’s Jireh, and in third was Richard Spooner (USA) with Lyjanair.
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