HUDSON VALLEY, NY--Mark Bluman of Israel on Landon De Nyze won the $350,000 Highlands Cup 5* Grand Prix on Sunday,Oct.11.
Mark Blumanon Landon De NyzeIn a 12 horse jump-off from a starting field of 36 over a course set by Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo, Bluman finished clean in 36.52 to win over Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain on Ascadina PP, clean in 37.31, and Natalie Dean on Acota M was third in 37.65.
Later in the afternoon, Erynn Ballard of Canada on Genius de Rance won the $31,100, 1.45M Winning Round, clean in 40.93, while McLain Ward on Hialita B was second in 41.02, with McKayla Langmeier on Sans Doute third in 41.06.
"Coming in here, I was hungry to get it done," Bluman said following his victory. "Having six of the world's top 10 here is unbelievable," he said.
"I try to do my best, and when I'm in the ring, I think I'm the best. That's my mentality," he said.
"My mare is young, and I wanted to do a nice, smooth round, but she actually ended up being quick," Mendoza said.
"I'm so proud of how Acota jumped today," said Dean. "She's such a fighter and naturally very quick, so luckily it paid off and we were on the podium today."
