Edited press release from Major League Show Jumping

Israel's Daniel Bluman left his mark on Major League Show Jumping Toronto in 2021 and is back with the same plan in mind. He and Gemma W (Luidam x Unaniem), an 11-year-old KWPN mare owned by Blue Star investments, were best in a seven-horse jump-off in Thursday's $137,700 CSI5* 1.55m Cabana Coast.

Not an easy pair to beat in any circumstances, Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance (Lord Z x Notaris) took second, while Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run's Risen (Utopie x Indoctro) rounded out the podium in third.

"When you put her in a class like this one, she’s comfortable at this height. Gemma is a real competitor, I love her very much and she is a mare that is very special to me. With all of these shows that have these very fast jump-offs, you need to have a horse that can win them, and she can," Bluman said.

Lacey Gilbertson (USA) wasn't in it to win it with inside turns and flat-out gallops in the Greenhawk CSI5* 1.45m speed, but Byzance Mail had other plans. The mare's small stature and quickness across the ground was the ticket for a victory, giving Gilbertson her first CSI5* win to date. 

She and the 11-year-old Selle Français mare (Iowa 960 x Carthago) owned by Seabrook LLC beat out 20 other starters while representing their MLSJ team, Spy Coast Spies. Their time was nearly three second faster than the second-place finisher.

"She's really little. Her stride is really small. But, she probably has the biggest heart of any animal I have ever had," Lacey Gilbertson said of Byzance Mail. 

Tomas Yofre (ARG) and Eliante Z (Ermindo W x Namelus R) took the runner-up spot behind Gilbertson, while Hunter Holloway (USA) rounded out the top three riding Dana de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago x Diamant de Semilly).