Mark Bluman and Ubiluc Make a Victorious Return in the $116,050 CSI3* Grand Prix at HITS Hudson Valley.

In the rain and with the door seemingly closed, Mark Bluman kicked it wide open.

Mark Bluman (ISR) claimed the $116,050 Maria Mendelsohn/Douglas Elliman CSI3* Grand Prix at the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour in Saugerties, New York, designed by Anderson Lima (MEX) with 22 combinations on course, 8 qualifiers for the jump-off, and representatives from 7 nations. Bluman stopped the clock at 35.370 seconds, a full second below what appeared to be McLain Ward’s unbeatable time, to take the win.

Ubiluc is a 14-year-old bay Mecklenburg stallion (Ubiko x Lucian), owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, a long-standing partnership that Bluman described with affection: “We bought him when he was six years old, and he is 14 now. He’s done everything for me. It’s his first show back in two months, and to start again with a win, it’s great; he doesn’t owe me or the family anything. We’re just getting to enjoy every single run we can get together.”

On the jump-off strategy, Bluman explained: “I never think the door is closed in a jump-off. I watched McLain’s round and said, ‘We’ll give it a shot.’ I did exactly the same numbers as he did, but my horse is just a little bit slicker.”

McLain Ward (USA), No. 3 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Pan American Show Jumping Ranking, finished second with High Star Hero, a 13-year-old bay Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Zazu x Darco) owned by Michael Smith, in 36.470 seconds. Daniel Bluman (ISR) completed the podium in third with Gemma W, a 15-year-old grey KWPN mare (Luidam x Unaniem) owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, in 37.690 seconds, sealing a one-three for the Bluman family.

Latin & Pan American Presence

McLain Ward (USA), former world No. 1 and current No. 3 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Pan American Show Jumping Ranking, was the top Pan American performer in second place and also fifth with Supersox Ter Leydonck, an 8-year-old chestnut BWP gelding (Bamako de Muze x Comme Il Faut) owned by Michael Smith, in 38.440 seconds. Roberto Terán Tafur (COL) was the top Latin finisher in fourth with Henry Jota Apolonio, a 10-year-old bay AAFE gelding (Chester Z x Quidam de Revel) owned by Terán himself, in 38.210 seconds. Maggie McAlary (USA) finished sixth, and Ilan Bluman (COL) finished twelfth with Acajou with 4 faults. Victoria Huertematte (PAN) sixteenth, Juan Pablo Betancourt (COL) eighteenth, Pablo Mejía (COL) nineteenth and João Carvalho (BRA) twentieth.

Top 5 Results — $116,050 Maria Mendelsohn/Douglas Elliman CSI3* Grand Prix | 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour