When Daniel Bluman enters the ring with Gemma W, victory tends to follow. Thursday in Saugerties was no exception.
Daniel Bluman (ISR), world No. 9, claimed the $62,480 CSI3* Welcome Stake at the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour, designed by Anderson Lima (MEX), with 32 combinations on course and 10 fault-free first rounds. Bluman dominated the jump-off with two mounts, first with Hummer Z in 37.67 seconds and then surpassing himself with Gemma W in 36.680 seconds.
Gemma W is a 15-year-old grey KWPN mare (Luidam x Unaniem), owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, an iconic partnership that Bluman described precisely: “In the last two years with Gemma, there have only been two classes that we didn’t finish in the top 10.” The Israeli rider made no secret of the achievement’s significance: “To hit that milestone is huge for any rider, and it shows huge consistency, not only for me personally, but for the entire team. Having the Israeli flag amongst the top ten in the world is a testament, and I’m extremely proud of that.”
Bluman also finished second with Hummer Z, a 12-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding (VDL Harley x Hemmingway) owned by Abigail Wexner, registering 37.67 seconds. Roberto Terán Tafur (COL), the previous day’s winner, completed the podium with Dez’ Ooktoff, an 18-year-old bay KWPN gelding (Colandro x Lys Rouge) co-owned by Terán himself, Lola Terán, and Maria Camila González, crossing the line in 37.930 seconds.
Latin & Pan American Presence
Three Latin riders on the extended podium, Roberto Terán (COL) third, Ilan Bluman (COL) fourth, and João Carvalho (BRA) fifth. Ilan Bluman finished fourth with Acajou, an 11-year-old bay DSP mare (Casallco x Chico’s Boy) owned by Bluman himself, in 38.250 seconds. João Carvalho (BRA) finished fifth with Pablo C, a 10-year-old bay ISH gelding (Pollux de Muze Z) owned by North Star, in 38.860 seconds. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) was the top non-Latin Pan American finisher in sixth with 39.98 seconds. Cristia Hacker (GUA) eighth with 4 faults in 40.13 seconds, Victoria Huertematte (PAN) thirteenth with 4 faults in the first round, McLain Ward (USA), No. 3 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Pan American Show Jumping Ranking, fourteenth, Juan Pablo Betancourt (COL) seventeenth, and Pablo Mejía (COL) twenty-first.
Top 5 Results — $62,480 CSI3* Welcome Stake | 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour
| Pos. | Athlete | Horse | R1 | Jump-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Bluman (ISR) 🇮🇱 | Gemma W | 0 | 0 / 36.68 |
| 2 | Daniel Bluman (ISR) 🇮🇱 | Hummer Z | 0 | 0 / 37.67 |
| 3 | Roberto Terán Tafur (COL) 🇨🇴 | Dez’ Ooktoff | 0 | 0 / 37.93 |
| 4 | Ilan Bluman (COL) 🇨🇴 | Acajou | 0 | 0 / 38.25 |
| 5 | Joao Carvalho (BRA) 🇧🇷 | Pablo C | 0 | 0 / 38.86 |
