
Thermal, United States โย December 13, 2025 โ Whenever Colombiaโs Mark Bluman (COL) and Phelina de Septon are the last in the ring, no oneโs lead is safe โ and that proved to be the case on Saturday, December 13. As the final rider to jump, Bluman flew to the win in the $62,500ย BrainJavaย Winning Round CSI 5* at Desert Holiday 2 in Thermal, Calif.
A field of 33 entries took on the first-round track designed by Olaf Petersen Jr., and the top 10 then advanced to round two in the Grand Prix Stadium at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP).
Just one trip before Bluman returned for the shortened course, Irelandโs Conor Swail (IRL) and Theo 160, owned by Mannon Farm, had taken over the lead with a time of 34.17 seconds. However, Swail seemed to know that he could very well be accepting the second-place ribbon โ and that did indeed prove to be the case.

Bluman used Phelina de Septonโs natural footspeed to his advantage, taking over the top spot with a winning time of 33.33 seconds. With Swail and Theo 160 taking second place, third place with a time of 34.99 seconds went to Colombiaโs Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and his own Condara.
โWith her, I always ride my plan,โ said Bluman of the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, owned by Mario Deslauriers Inc. โShe doesnโt have the biggest stride, but sheโs super fast across the ground. I caught a good rhythm starting on number one, and I just followed that rhythm around. We were fast enough today!โ

Bluman began riding Phelina de Septon in May of this year, and the pair has quickly amassed an impressive list of top two finishes at the 1.50m height.
โIโm very grateful to them for the opportunity to ride her,โ said Bluman. โThe mare has been unbelievable for me. Sheโs a great partner to haveโฆSheโs always game when she goes in the ring. I trust her, and she trusts me. Her record is impeccable. So, hopefully we can carry on like that!โ

Final Results โ $62,500ย BrainJavaย Winning Round CSI 5*
1) Mark Bluman (COL) & Phelina de Septon โ 0 / 0 โ 33.33
2) Conor Swail (IRL) & Theo 160 โ 0 / 0 โ 34.14
3) Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) & Condara โ 0 / 0 โ 34.99
Source: Press Release from Desert International Horse Park
Photos: ยฉ DIHP / High Desert Photo / Megan Giese Media
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Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News America Latina





