Saugerties, New York, USA – June 22, 2024 – International jumper competition during the HITS-on-the-Hudson Jumper Special at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, was in full swing on Saturday, June 22, 2024. All eyes were on the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium for the featured $62,480 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI 2* as a field of 47 top horse-and-rider combinations fought for the win. Ultimately it was Steven Bluman’s (ISR) stellar performance aboard Cachemire de Braize that secured the blue ribbon.
The first-round course, designed by FEI Level 4 Course Designer Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), consisted of 16 efforts and 13 obstacles. From the starting field, 14 elite duos jumped clear to return for the jump-off. The challenging track suited Bluman and “Cache” as they crossed the finishing timers in a speedy 37.38 seconds.
“Bernardo does an incredible job,” said Bluman of the courses presented throughout the week. “All of the distances came up while going forward, and that’s always what you want in a jump-off. I was able to do one less stride everywhere, and I got the win today.”
Just a fraction of a second off the pace of Steven Bluman was Marilyn Little (USA) and her own, La Contessa. Little and the nine-year-old Mecklenburg mare (License x Cornet’s Prinz) stopped the clock in 37.54 seconds for second place.
Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Hummer Z, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Harley x Hemmingway) owned by Abigail Wexner, completed the top three. The pair finished fault-free in 37.84 seconds for the yellow ribbon.
Steven Bluman recently took over the ride on Cache about two months ago. Previously, the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Nissan Quality Touch Z x Jaguar Mail) owned by Over the Top Stables LLC was campaigned through the five-star level by Steven’s brother and fellow Israeli rider, Daniel Bluman. Now with a new Bluman in the irons, Cache continues to produce impressive results.
“Cache is naturally very, very careful and very, very fast,” shared Steven Bluman of his new partner. “When that combination works out, you win.”
With already one big win under their belts, the pair will set their sights on the HITS Hudson Valley CSI3* events later this season.
“HITS Hudson Valley is a great facility,” expressed Steven Bluman, who bases at his family’s Bluman Equestrian, just an hour and twenty minutes away in North Salem, New York. “They’ve done an incredible job here. I’m very happy. My first grand prix win and my first FEI win was here in Saugerties, so I’m just grateful for the horses and grateful for the facility.”
Final Results – $62,480 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI 2* –1.45m
1) Steven Bluman (ISR) & Cachemire de Braize – 0 / 0 – 37.38
2) Marilyn Little (USA) & La Contessa – 0 / 0 – 37.54
3) Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Hummer Z – 0 / 0 – 37.84
Source: Press Release from Hits Horse Shows
Photos: © ESI Photography
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Categories: CSI 2*, Jumper News America Latina
