Bluman Equestrian Team Jumps to Impressive Results in Traverse City

Returning to the show ring after a hiatus due to COVID-19 event cancellations and postponements, the horses and riders at Bluman Equestrian showed off their well-honed skills after an extended training period at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City. The team competed during one week of the Traverse City Spring Horse Show, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, in June, then returned to Michigan for the final two weeks of the six-week Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors LLC.

“We are so proud of all of our horse-and-rider pairs that competed in Traverse City, whether they were showing at the 0.85m level or in the grand prix. This has been a very unusual year for everyone and flexibility has been important when it comes to training and competing, so all of us at Bluman Equestrian were thrilled to see everyone do so well. They all jumped right back into the ring, shook the rust off and were amazing. We could not have asked for better performances and hope to see this trend continue,” commented Steven Bluman, one of the core members of Bluman Equestrian.

Daniel Bluman on Ubiluc. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Daniel Bluman and Megan McDermott Finish in Top Five in Finale Grand Prix

As the final major contest of Week Six, the $137,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix CSI3* featured 50 international contenders, each with one horse apiece. Representing Bluman Equestrian impressively with two rounds of textbook riding from each, Daniel Bluman (ISR) on Over the Top Stables LLC’s Gemma W and Megan McDermott (USA) on Counter Balance LLC’s HH Callas both placed within the top five of the prestigious class. Daniel earned second place and Megan finished fifth. Both went double-clear.

Megan McDermott on Tizimin LS. Photo by Delaney Hamill.

Bluman Equestrian Racks Up $93,514 in Prize Money

Between all the riders that represented Bluman Equestrian, both valued clients as well as  those who share the Bluman surname, a collective amount of $93,514 in prize money was won in only three weeks of competition. Bluman Equestrian team members dipped into the purse thanks to top results in classes ranging from the 1.10m Jumpers and Low Adult Jumpers all the way up to the grand prix level, speaking to the efficacy of the training program for athletes and horses of all experience levels.

Daniel Bluman on Gemma W. Photo by Ashley Neuhof for Andrew Ryback Photography.

Daniel Bluman Sits Second on Rider Bonus Leaderboard

The CaptiveOne Advisors $30,000 Leading Jumper Rider Bonus will be awarded to the rider who accumulates the most points in competitions $25,000 or more in prize money over the course of 11 weeks of riding in Traverse City. So far, eight weeks have been completed. One lucky rider will be awarded the bonus following the conclusion of the $213,300 CaptiveOne American Gold Cup Grand Prix CSI4* on September 13. Thanks to his top results with Gemma W and Colestina H during the Traverse City Spring Horse Show and the final two weeks of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, Daniel currently sits in the runner-up spot with 28 points. Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) leads with 33 points.

Competition highlights from the Bluman Equestrian team during their time in Traverse City include:

Traverse City Spring:

• Megan McDermott / HH Callas – 2nd place in $72,900 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix CSI2*
• Megan McDermott / Biscotti – 2nd place in $2,000 1.40m Jumpers
• Megan McDermott / Entano – 3rd place in $2,000 1.40m Jumpers
• Megan McDermott / Biscotti – 2nd place in 1.35m Jumpers
• Daniel Bluman / Gemma W – 3rd place in $72,900 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix CSI2*
• Mark Bluman / Cartouche – 4th place in $2,000 1.40m Jumpers