Double Bluman victories highlighted The Ridge's January 31- February 2 week of USEF Level II Jumpers! Set against the two oversized show rings of their Loxahatchee Groves show grounds and over courses designed by Jaime Morillo, The Ridge at Wellington Groves wrapped up January with the Bluman cousins taking the win in the two major money classes.
The Ridge hosts weekly hunter, jumper, equitation, and monthly schooling shows with classes for everyone. Generous prize money in their $15,000 1.40M Grand Prix and $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classics make these a favorite choice for top international riders to perfect their style and enjoy competitive environment in a new venue. With .70-1.20M and JR/Amateur classes running in conjunction with the main arena, everyone from pony jumpers and young horses to Olympians find an amazing horse show experience at The Ridge.
Daniel Bluman, riding for Israel, took the win on Wednesday aboard Cachemire De Braize. Riding for Over the Top Stables, LLC, the pair took an early lead in the class that held the rest of the afternoon, despite a slew of challengers. Their short course time of 36.714 won the day, with Mark Bluman aboard S&L Gliludium Riverland finishing just a few tenths of a second beind with 36.977 and Luis F. Larrazabal with Balou's Penny rounding out the top three with a jump-off time of 38.884.
On Friday, Mark Bluman of Colombia was determined to claim back the top honors from his cousin for the week. In the Grand Prix, the first round course consisted of 15 efforts which included a faux stone wall, triple combination, bending lines, rollbacks, and a jump-off with new fences. Against a field of 27 starters, Will Martin delivered a fast and effortless-looking first double clear with 28.849 seconds. His lead was quickly overtaken, however, by that week's Rising Star winner Daniel Bluman with Cachemire De Braize, who jumped clear in 28.813 seconds. These times, while not unusual for riders of this caliber, seemed too fast to be overcome. However, The Ridge's competitors were not to be underestimated! Hugh Mutch and Cassava's fleet hooves took the pair through the jump-off timers in 28.007 seconds to take the lead later that afternoon. Now, surely, this impossibly fast jump-off was not to be beaten, one would assume, but one would once again be incorrect! In the final ride of the day, Mark Bluman and Ireland performed the impossible, this time stopping the clock at 27.265 seconds to win the class in an amazing display of athleticism.
The Ridge's jumper series continues this Wednesday & Friday, February 7-9, 2024 plus a Saturday Schooling Show February 17, Hunter/Equitation every Tuesday, and jumpers every week through the end of March.
source: Press Release
