Traverse City Recap: How Season 5 Began

Season 5 launched in Michigan, title race underway.

Published

23 FEB 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Leg 1 delivered immediate impact:

Early points, early statements, and no margin for error.

From this point forward, we revisit Season 5 week by week; tracking how the standings evolved and how momentum shifted on the road to Leg 8 and The Final.

Leg 1 | Traverse City, Michigan

Major League Show Jumping returned to Traverse City for the opening leg of Season 5, hosted at Flintfields Horse Park as part of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. Set against the backdrop of Northern Michigan’s summer circuit, the venue combines elite facilities with a strong equestrian community.

Competition unfolded across three decisive days in early August 2025, featuring 5* sport at the highest level.

Fans who followed the action can revisit and claim the Traverse City ribbon in the MLSJ app.

It will be available for this week only, offering a way to commemorate the outstanding performances delivered throughout the weekend.

Collect now

The Traverse City Ribbon is ready to collect!

Thursday: Bluman Claimed the First Win

Daniel Bluman opened the season with authority in the $63,000 5* Qualifier aboard Hummer Z. His 39.94 second jump-off secured the first 5* victory of Season 5. Against a field that included Olympic veterans and the world’s top-ranked riders, the result established an early competitive benchmark.

Friday: Helios Took Team Gold

The $312,500 Cabana Coast 5* Team Competition delivered the first shift of the season. Helios, featuring Rene Dittmer, Michael Duffy, and Roberto Teran Tafur, executed with composure across both rounds.

Double-clear performances from Dittmer and Duffy positioned Teran for the medal round, where he sealed the victory. The result moved Helios to the top of the standings after Leg 1, highlighting the importance of roster depth within the MLSJ Team Class format.

Roberto Teran Tafur & Dez’ Ooktoff.

Saturday: Farrington Set the Standard

Kent Farrington closed Traverse City with a statement in the $340,000 5* Grand Prix. Aboard Greya, he produced the only jump-off round under 39 seconds, stopping the clock at 38.31.

Fifteen combinations advanced to the jump-off, but none matched the precision and pace of the pair. The cumulative points across the Qualifier, Team Competition, and Grand Prix left the Roadrunners narrowly leading the overall standings at the conclusion of Leg 1.

Farrington’s performance also earned Rider of the Week honours, reinforcing the value of consistency across multiple classes.

Kent Farrington & Greya

Setting the Season’s Trajectory

Traverse City did more than open the calendar; it set the tone for the season.

Helios, Roadrunners, Trailblazers, and Maccabi United left Leg 1 separated by the smallest of margins. From this starting point in August 2025, the league advances leg by leg toward the championship finale in Monterrey, scheduled for April 29 to May 2, 2026.

Each week adds pressure. Each podium reshapes the standings.

Season 5 began in Traverse City. The road now leads to Leg 8 in Lexington before the championship reaches Monterrey.