Friday marked the opening day of Major League Show Jumping at CSI Greenwich taking place at the historic Greenwich Polo Club, with the five-star qualifier setting the stage against an unforgettable backdrop for the third MLSJ leg of season 6.
Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) set a 1.55m track for a starting field of 35 horse-and-rider combinations, with 10 pairs producing clear rounds to advance to the jump-off.
Samuel Hutton (GBR) and Wathnan Thor (Taran de La Pomme x Baloubet du Rouet) were the first combination to return, setting the early standard with a double clear in 38.88 seconds. With nine pairs still to follow, the time gave the remainder of the field their first target to chase.
The leaderboard continued to tighten as the jump-off progressed, setting up a family battle between cousins Daniel and Mark Bluman. Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Corbie V.V. (Cornet Obolensky x Chacco-Blue) returned immediately before Mark and made their bid for the win with a precise clear round. The pair stopped the clock at 37.49 seconds to move into the lead with only two combinations left to challenge.
That lead would last for just one round. Mark Bluman (ISR) entered the ring next aboard Landon de Nyze (Comilfo Plus Z x Quadrillo) knowing exactly what time he needed to beat. Using his horse’s stride across the Greenwich Polo Club track, Bluman found the time while keeping every rail in place, crossing the finish in 37.04 seconds to move 0.45 seconds ahead of his cousin.
“I rode a pretty smart jump-off and used my horse’s big stride, and it paid off,” said Mark Bluman. “He jumped great.”
The back-to-back order between the cousins added another element to the win, with Mark entering the ring having just watched Daniel take over the lead. “He knows if he’s in the lead, I’m going to come after him, and today it worked out,” said Bluman.
One final challenger remained. Last to go, Lillie Keenan (USA) and Highway TN (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Chellano Z) made their bid for the top of the leaderboard, producing a clear round in 38.30 seconds. Their effort secured third place but left Mark and Landon's 37.04 untouched.
Bluman and Landon de Nyze ultimately claimed the opening CSI5* win of leg 3, with Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V. finishing second and Keenan with Highway TN completing the podium in third.
