Mark Bluman Claims Victory in the CSI5* Qualifier at Desert International Horse Park
A prestigious victory highlighted Thursday, December 11, at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. In the $182,000 Great American Insurance Group CSI5* Qualifier, part of Desert Holiday 2, Colombian rider Mark Bluman secured the top spot aboard Landon de Nyze, in just their second show together.
The win confirmed the intuition of Daniel Bluman, Mark’s cousin, who believed from the start that the horse would be an ideal match for him. The 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding Landon de Nyze boasts an outstanding career: under Kent Farrington, he earned an individual silver medal at the Pan American Games and claimed multiple CSI5* Grand Prix victories. Later competed by Daniel Bluman, the horse has now found a promising new partner in Mark.
“Daniel is going to heaven if he keeps giving me horses like this!” Mark Bluman joked after the class. “Landon was incredibly successful with Kent, then Daniel bought him when he already had many horses to ride. From the very beginning, he told me the horse would be perfect for me. Now it’s my job to prove it.”
The new partnership made its official debut only the previous week during the CSI2* at Desert Holiday 1. From there, they moved straight into CSI5* competition. Undeterred by the step up in level, Bluman tackled the course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. with the confidence of a seasoned combination. From a starting field of 42 horses, eight advanced to the jump-off, including Bluman and Landon de Nyze.
In the decisive jump-off, American rider Callie Schott aboard Garant set the time to beat at 42.05 seconds. Four rides later, it was Bluman’s turn to enter the arena. “I knew Nina Mallevaey was coming after me, so I decided to really give it a go,” he explained. “I didn’t go full out because I’m still getting to know Landon, but on the final line I could take advantage of how incredibly careful he is. I just rode forward to the last vertical, and he jumped it beautifully.”
That tactical decision paid off, earning Mark Bluman a major victory in one of the most competitive settings on the international circuit. A result that not only confirms the exceptional quality of Landon de Nyze, but also points to a very promising future for this new partnership—one that, judging by Thermal, is set to make its mark on the world’s top show jumping arenas.
Press release Desert International Horse Park
Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
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