Maccabi United team members Daniel, Ilan and Mark Bluman atop the MLSJ Season 5 podium. The Archers took silver in the final team competition, and Trelawny Trailblazers finished with bronze. Photo © MLSJ / Meraki Creative Group.
Press release from Major League Show Jumping, edited by World of Showjumping
After a dominating performance during the fifth season of Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ), Maccabi United was powered by Daniel Bluman (ISR), Ilan Bluman (COL) and Mark Bluman (COL) to ride away with the series title at Club Hípico La Silla in Monterrey, Mexico, on Friday at Concurso La Silla.
Maccabi United held a commanding lead coming into the Monterrey Final and fielded a team powered by talent and family ties. Cousins Daniel, Ilan and Mark Bluman took to the Final aboard MLSJ stalwarts Ubiluc (Ubiko x Lucian) and Acajou (Casallco x Chico’s Boy), joined by 9-year-old mare Malina (Aganix du Seigneur x Mylord Carthago). After advancing to the medal round, Maccabi United faced off against the Archers, knowing the season title was clinched.
Ilan Bluman aboard Acajou. Photo © MLSJ / Meraki Creative Group.
“We knew going into the last round that we were already the winners overall but still wanted to win the final class of the season,” said Mark, who went head-to-head against Patricio Pasquel (MEX) on Gazelle SM (Orient Express HDC x Caritano Z) in the gold-medal round. “Pasquel pulled out a pretty good round. Unfortunately, he had a rail down but was still fast. My strategy was to trust my horse, go as fast as I could without risking too much. In case a rail came down, I was still fast enough to take the win. Ubiluc jumped unbelievably. He’s a horse that owes nothing to any of the family members—every round I get out of him is a plus.”
“We all share the same passion,” continued Mark, of the team and familial camaraderie that fueled Maccabi United this season. “Dominating is a matter of many things that happened behind the scenes. Our job [as riders] is, I think, the easiest one to do. What happens behind the scenes is what makes these kinds of moments magical.”
Mark Bluman riding Ubiluc. Photo © MLSJ / Meraki Creative Group.
Mark was sent to the medal match thanks to clear second-round rides from Ilan and Daniel. “One of our main goals of the year was to win the league as a team,” said Daniel. “The reason that we're here is also because we had incredible teammates. When you look at our roster, you wouldn't think that we would dominate like we did. But we had consistency, great energy and team dynamic. This is very special for us as a family. Winning is fun, but when you're winning and having a really good time with friends and family, it's even more fun.”
When asked about his rookie season as part of Maccabi United, Ilan said, “I was waiting for this from the beginning. Our plan was—from the beginning—for me to do the final, and I don't think I have ever ridden with that amount of pressure. For me to compete with my brother and my cousin, it's amazing—I have no words. It’s definitely a day to remember.”
Daniel Bluman and Malina. Photo © MLSJ / Meraki Creative Group.
Pasquel led fellow teammates Amy Millar (CAN) on Gaiete d’Elle (Vagabond de La Pomme x Mylord Carthago) and Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) on Stakato Cornet (Cornet Obolensky x Stakkato) to silver, while the Trelawny Trailblazers’ roster of Natalie Dean (USA) on Pedro van de Barlebuis (Echo van’T Spieveld x Ohio vd Padenborre), Lillie Keenan (USA) on Emerlon (Emerald x Toulon) and Conor Swail (IRL) aboard Casturano (Castelan I x Canturo) took bronze. Their podium finish settled the Trailblazers as the current season runner-up with the DIHP Roadrunners sitting third.
While Maccabi United has secured an unbeatable lead in the season standings, final team placings will be decided after points are tallied from Saturday’s Grand Prix, with double points on the line.
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