Two-time Olympic veteran Daniel Bluman, who has represented Colombia in international competition for the last eight years, has changed nationalities to compete under the flag of Israel. Bluman, who was born in Medellin, Colombia and calls Florida his home, has been the highest ranked Colombian rider on the FEI Jumping Rankings since 2011. His achievements since the beginning of his international career in 2009 have spanned appearances in two FEI World Equestrian Games, two Pan American Games, and a successful Olympic debut at London 2012, where he finished within the top 20 individuals as one of the youngest competing riders. Bluman has long held dual citizenship with Israel through his mother Orly Bluman, who hails from the European nation. Israel has been working to increase its presence in show jumping, and with major supporters and owners expressing renewed desire to be involved with Team Israel, Bluman was approached with a proposal to switch flags. This year, Bluman married Ariel Epstein, an amateur rider who represents Israel in competition. He currently has the strongest string of horses of his career, with six mounts competing at the international level. His 2012 Olympic partner Sancha LS is expected to make a comeback to competition in 2017, and he recently gained the ride on Ladriano Z, which his cousin Ilan rode to notable success at Split Rock this fall. His Rio 2016 partner, the KWPN stallion Apardi, is currently his top grand prix mount. Under Israel, he looks forward to competing at a future European Championships, and while he feels a strong connection to Colombia as its most successful rider in recent years, he will not be leaving as big of a void as one might assume.
