Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows, edited by World of Showjumping

After assembling their team at the last minute, Israel prevailed Thursday evening in the $75,000 CSIO3* Nations Cup, taking the first win on American soil for Israeli international show jumping. Daniel Bluman on Malina (Aganix du Seigneur x Mylord Carthago), Steven Bluman with Concare PS (Conthargos x Cornet Obolensky), Ilan Ferder aboard Ezarka de Belheme (Unique Star x Fetiche du Pas) and Stella Wasserman on Myla (Crunch x Quadros 3) finished on a total score of 4 faults to claim the victory by a convincing margin.

In its second year highlighting week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, the CSIO3* Nations Cup drew an enthusiastic crowd and an impressive slate of top international show jumpers. Olympic veterans and team rookies alike battled it out over Peter Grant’s (CAN) course for a chance at the top of the podium.

Daniel Bluman was Israel’s anchor rider, bringing home a double-clear effort aboard Malina, an up-and-coming horse in his string. “It was a great day,” Daniel reflected. “It was very fun to ride after [my teammates] rode such great rounds, so we're very excited.”

After round one, Israel sat in a promising position on zero faults, with the next closest team — Ireland — on 16. But they knew they couldn’t let their guard down because the competition could change in an instant. 

The United States, sitting in third after round one, had an incredible run in round two, with the first three riders – Hunter Holloway on Henry Jota Ariel (Picadilly Tame x Casparo), Lacey Gilbertson with Belle Amie vd Dassenheide Z (Bamako de Muze x Emerald) and Savannah Jenkins on Hector du Ter (Comme Il Faut x Le Tot de Semilly) – putting in clear rounds, so anchor rider Callie Schott with Diamond Touch (Diamant de Semilly x Chin Chin) didn’t even have to jump.

Team Israel kept its cool, knowing the United States was heating up. They managed to keep their second-round score to just 4 faults, leaving that comfortable margin in place and securing the win. The United States finished in second, with Ireland ultimately in third after a pair of rails down in round two.

If you ask Daniel, he believes the Israeli team brings a different energy to the sport. That energy was palpable on Thursday. “When you group the Israeli riders together we're going to fight with everything we've got,” Daniel said. “We ride for our flag, we ride for our country, we know how to ride together and give it our all. Ilan wasn't even going to show this week, last Saturday I told him we lost a rider, we're going with three, and we needed him to ride. He showed up and put in a double clear round. That just shows you the energy put forth for this team.”

Ferder, aboard Ezarka de Belheme, put in the only other double-clear effort of the day, and he was the team’s leadoff rider, setting the tone for his teammates’ over the next three rounds of jumping. “It's always a pleasure to ride for my country,” Ferder said about his decision to join the team effort in Traverse City. “ It feels great to win. [Jumping double clear] felt great; there's nothing better than that.”

Alongside Daniel Bluman was his brother Steven, who piloted Concare PS, a ride he recently took over from cousin Mark Bluman (COL). “Concare has been with Marky for the past two or three years,” Steven explained. “I got the ride in May of this year. I wasn't sure how I was going to do it, going after Marky. But [Daniel] gave me a few tips and I started working on the partnership quite quickly. I'm so proud and happy to be able to ride a horse like her.”

New to the team was Stella Wasserman, who has only been representing Israel for a short time but is already passionate about jumping for her nation and contributing to the team effort in any way she can. “It's my first Nations Cup ever, and it's an honor to ride with riders like these sitting next to me,” Wasserman said. “It's not like I'm going into the ring as one person with one horse, I have so many people standing behind me. Feeling that makes me want to put my best foot forward every time and it's just an honor.”

In her Nations Cup debut, Wasserman jumped clear in the opening round aboard Myla, and then to a score of 4 in round two, very much helping her team capture the win.

Chef d’equipe Hans Horn felt immensely proud of his riders following their victory Thursday. “It feels great and it was great the way they did it,” Horn remarked of the team’s performance. “Five clear rounds and all rounds were good. I'm proud of the riders, especially Stella who jumped for the first time for the team. I'm really happy. If you keep fighting for your teammates you can make a difference.”

Beyond team honors, the event also provided a qualifying opportunity for the $116,500 CSIO3* B&D Builders Grand Prix on Saturday.

Friday during week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders will feature the $31,100 Ingram Family CSIO3* Second Qualifier followed by the evening’s $25,000 Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Copper Fox, in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring.