Assembled at the last minute, and unstoppable all the same. Israel wrote a historic page in American show jumping.
The Israeli team of Daniel Bluman, Steven Bluman, Ilan Ferder and Stella Wasserman claimed the $75,000 CSIO3* Nations Cup at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival presented by B&D Builders in Traverse City, Michigan, over a course designed by Peter Grant (CAN), securing Israel’s first-ever Nations Cup victory on American soil. Israel finished on a total of 4 faults, a comfortable margin over the United States and Ireland, who shared second and third with 16 faults each.
Ilan Ferder (ISR) set the tone as the team’s leadoff rider, delivering the only other double-clear effort of the day with Ezarka de Belheme, a 12-year-old bay SF mare (Unik d’Ick x Fetiche du Pas). “It’s always a pleasure to ride for my country. It feels great to win; there’s nothing better than that.” Steven Bluman (ISR) followed with Concare PS, a 12-year-old OS mare (Conthargos x Cornet Obolensky), a ride he took over from cousin Mark Bluman in May: “I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it, going after Marky. But Daniel gave me a few tips, and I started working on the partnership quite quickly. I’m so proud and happy.” Stella Wasserman (ISR) made her Nations Cup debut with Myla, an 11-year-old bay Holsteiner mare (Crunch 3 x Quadros), jumping clear in the opening round: “It’s my first Nations Cup ever, and it’s an honor to ride with riders like these. It’s not like I’m going into the ring as one person. I have so many people standing behind me.”
Daniel Bluman (ISR) served as anchor rider and sealed the victory with a double-clear effort aboard Malina, a 9-year-old grey KWPN mare (Aganix du Seigneur x Mylord Carthago HN), his promising young prospect. “It was a great day. When you group the Israeli riders together, we’re going to fight with everything we’ve got. We ride for our flag, we ride for our country. Ilan wasn’t even going to show this week; last Saturday I told him we lost a rider and we needed him. He showed up and put in a double clear. That just shows you the energy put forth for this team.”
The United States finished second with 16 faults, with Hunter Holloway, Lacey Gilbertson and Savannah Jenkins all delivering clear rounds in the second leg, making anchor rider Callie Schott’s round unnecessary. Ireland completed the podium in third with 24 faults.
Latin & Pan American Presence
The United States was the top Pan American nation in second place. Among Latin nations, Mexico finished fifth with 25 total faults, with Maya Denis, Tanimara Macari, Francisco Lomelín and Alejandro Leonardo Winkler. Brazil closed in sixth with 44 faults, with Daniel Chaves Anicet, Michel Feitosa and Cassio Rivetti.
Nations Cup Results — $75,000 CSIO3* | Great Lakes Equestrian Festival — Traverse City 2026
| Pos. | Nation | R1 | R2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇮🇱 Israel | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | 🇺🇸 United States | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 3 | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 16 | 8 | 24 |
| 4 | 🇨🇦 Canada | 24 | 20 | 44 |
| 5 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 25 | 12 | 37 |
| 6 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 20 | 24 | 44 |
