Mark Bluman Blazes to Victory in the $31,300 Baobab Collection Two- Phase CSI 3*

By Jumper News on 2026-10-01

Amenia, United States – September 30, 2026 – Set against the stunning autumn backdrop of New York’s Hudson Valley, Mark Bluman (ISR) opened the 2026 Discovery Land Company Masters by winning the Baobab Collection 3* Two-Phase riding S&L Hello Sunshine to open international competition at Highlands during the Autumn Invitational.

“You can’t win them all if you don’t win on the first day,” said Bluman after the victory aboard S&L Hello Sunshine, a 9-year-old Diamant de Semilly son.

Ireland’s Christian Coyle (IRL) set an early target in the speed phase, clocking 28.39 seconds on his own Chicago CM, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (San Patrignano Cassini x Carpaccio). Bluman answered back in 28.16 seconds to settle Coyle in second by less than three-tenths.

Rounding out the podium, Megan McDermott (USA) piloted Nintendo, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Nintender x Chaco Blue), to third in 29.12 seconds for owner Counter Balance, LLC.

“I didn’t see Christian’s round, but I was really fast to the oxer before the last line, and I think that is where I made up the difference,” said Bluman of S&L Hello Sunshine’s speed across course designer Nick Granat’s (USA) two-phase track. “Hello Sunshine is quite the competitor—he knows exactly what his job is, and that’s his biggest strength. You don’t need to do much or jump big at home; you just need to keep him happy and he comes to the show to win.”  

Bluman got the ride on S&L Hello Sunshine during the stallion’s 7-year-old year and will aim him at Sunday’s featured Discovery Land Company 3* Grand Prix.

“They do an unbelievable job with this event,” said Bluman, who recently carried the Israeli flag at the FEI World Show Jumping Championship in Aachen, Germany. “The season is still quite long for me, but it’s very nice to be here in such a beautiful place this time of year.”