Claiming an early lead in Thursday’s $38,700 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase, Daniel Bluman (ISR) proved uncatchable aboard quick-footed Cachemire De Braize; the pair sliced and diced their way to victory over Alan Wade’s (IRL) 16-effort course at the 2023 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, posting the fastest double-clear score in 26.47 seconds.
Sixty-three horse-and-rider combinations stepped into the Old Salem Farm International Arena to kick off the week’s CSI4* competition, with Bluman and Over The Top Stables LLC’s 11-year-old Selle Français gelding ultimately clinching the win.
After helping Team USA claim an FEI Nations Cup win in California over the weekend, McLain Ward gave it his all with speed specialist Catoki but couldn’t quite make Bluman’s blistering time. Ward and Marilla Van Beuren’s 14-year-old Westphalian gelding stopped the clock in 27.06 seconds to land in second place.
Katie Dinan (USA) rounded out the top three with Grant Road Partners LLC’s 13-year-old Selle Français mare Atika Des Hauts Vents, tripping the timers in 27.12 seconds.
