Déjà Vu for Bluman & Phelina de Septon in McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News on 2026-11-12

Toronto, Canada – November 11, 2026 – It was a familiar start to international jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show Wednesday for Mark Bluman (ISR). After winning the $40,000 McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W with Phelina de Septon in his Royal debut last year, Bluman repeated the feat with the same mare in 2026.

Bluman and Phelina crossed the timers of Bernardo Costa Cabral‘s (POR) 1.45m speed track in an untouchable 45.50 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Gray’s Inn finished second (47.26 seconds), while Amy Millar (CAN) and Christiano rounded out the podium (48.44s).

“Every time I ride [Phelina], I feel confident,” said, who has been partnered with the 11-year-old mare for just under two years. “I have to make a mistake for her not to do well. So today I was feeling pretty good and, it was a good class.”

The Royal Horse Show, which runs Nov. 6-15, is part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. A nine-day showcase of equestrian sport, the show features a wide variety of disciplines, from international show jumping and dressage to national show hunters, indoor eventing, and an array of unique horse breeds, with the marquee event, the CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, set for Saturday, November 14.

Wednesday’s feature, the McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W boasted a competitive field, with seven of the World’s top 30-ranked jumping athletes in the lineup. Fresh off their win in the Canadian Show Jumping Championships, Millar and Christiano carried their momentum forward and laid down the first competitive standard of the competition, albeit with a slightly wider turn to Jump 5, a wide liverpool oxer.

The pair was overtaken when Vale and Gray’s Inn took their turn, shaving nearly 1.5 seconds off Millar’s time and increasing the pressure on the remainder of the field. But Bluman is far from risk-averse, and he entered the Coca-Cola Coliseum with a clear mind, focusing only on his plan. Taking an impressive turn back to the oxer-vertical combination at 3ab and boldly leaving out a stride to the oxer at 7, he and Phelina galloped through the timers nearly two seconds in front, never to be caught.

“I actually didn’t get to see anybody. I was just riding my plan,” Bluman said. “[Phelina] actually thinks ahead of me. She knows the game. She has an unbelievable record, and every time she goes to a show, she produces a good result. I’m very lucky to have her.”

Bluman was a newcomer to downtown Toronto last year, but he certainly didn’t act like it, ending up as show’s Leading International Rider with two CSI5*-W victories. He is already in hot pursuit to repeat the feat.

“[Phelina] was great here last year. These classes suit her very well—she’s a speed demon,” Bluman said. “We’re very happy to start the Royal again this way. Thank you to the fans for coming out to cheer [for us]!”