WELLINGTON, Fla.--In a thrilling jump-off, Daniel Bluman of Israel on Gemma W, going right after cousin Mark Bluman on Colombia on Phelina de Septon went a tenth of a second faster to win the $150,000 CSI4* 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final on Saturday eventing, March 21 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Daniel Bluman on Gemma W (Photo by Sportfot)Forty-three qualified for the Final, and under the Winning Round format, 12 went forward into the second round.

First to go in the second round, Nayal Nasser of Egypt on Igor van de Wittemore set a fast time to beat of 47.80.

Kent Farrington on Casynna, seventh in the order, finished in what looked like an unbeatable time of 47.47.

Three horses later Mark Bluman did beat that time, though, finishing in 47.22.

Then Daniel Bluman incredibly beat even that time, finishing in 47.10 for the win.

Mark Bluman was second, Farrington third and Nasser fourth, with Gabriel de Matos Machado on It Girl fifth in 52.03 and Marilyn Little on Narado, the fastest four-faulter, sixth in 48.35.

 

“EVERY TIME that I get to go in the ring on Gemma, it means a lot to me,” said Daniel. “I saw Mark’s jump-off, and it was fast. I didn’t think I could beat them, but I wanted to for sure give it a try. At this point in Gemma’s career, she’s game, and I felt from the beginning that she was going for it."

Mark Bluman on Phelina de Septon (Photo by Sportfo)“If I were standing where he’s standing, I would probably still be very happy,” said Daniel. “We love for each other to win. He won the last two, and I get to take this one. It’s been a long time since I was that excited after finishing a round. It was so much fun.”

Daniel riding Malina also won the 62,000 WEF Challenge Cup on Friday, finishing clean in 52.20 seconds to beat second placed Adrienne Sternlicht on Faquitol S, clean in 53.13, with Chloe Reid on Crossover 4 third in 54.16.

There was some satisfaction for Mark, though, as he won the Series.

Mark was coming off a streak by winning the last two Hermès 1.50m Qualifiers during WEF 9 and 10, both on different horses.

The consistency helped him to secure the season title with his second place in theFinal.

“I was able to compete every single week this season—it’s the first time in my career that I have had a group of horses like this,” said Mark. “When I have Daniel and Gemma coming behind me, I knew I was fast, but I also knew he could get me. I just tried to celebrate and get the crowd involved, trying to rattle him up and maybe catch a rail. The plan didn’t work out, but I am still very happy.”

For the overall Hermès 1.50m title, Mark was awarded a $10,000 Hermès store credit.