Press Release: September 10th
Daniel Bluman and Gemma W deliver as the final pair in the jump off to claim the opening 5* win of Leg 2.
Published
11 SEP 2026
Est. reading time
3 min
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10th, 2026
Contact: media@majorleagueshowjumping.com
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Leg 2 of Major League Show Jumping Season 6 opened in Traverse City on Thursday with the $181,170 5* Qualifier presented by Cabana Coast. Gregory Bodo set the 1.55m track for a field of 35 combinations, with a tight time allowed adding another test to the opening round.
More than 10 combinations picked up faults on the clock, while 12 of the original 35 starters found their way into the jump off.
With the shortened course underway, the leaderboard, representing 6 Nations, continued to change before Karl Cook (USA) and Foxy De La Roque produced the round to beat. Cook took over the lead and held it as the remaining challengers tried to find the time, leaving just one combination with a chance to catch him.
Last to return, Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Gemma W entered the ring. The pair found the difference, stopping the clock at 36.49 seconds to beat Cook by just 0.13 seconds and claim the first 5* win of Leg 2.
“I got to see what everyone had done. At the end, it came down to being as fast as I could. I had to give my 100% today,” said Bluman.
For Bluman, the result continued a familiar streak in Traverse City. He entered the week as the defending 5* Qualifier winner after taking the same class during Season 5 aboard Hummer Z. One year later, he made it back to back with a different horse.
“I was riding Gemma. Words cannot describe the feeling I have when I ride this horse. She gives me her entire heart every single time. She’s an incredible animal,” Bluman said.
The win also provided an important start to the week for Maccabi United. After a difficult opening leg in Toronto saw the defending champions miss out on Round 2 of the Team Competition, Bluman’s Qualifier victory gives Maccabi momentum heading into Friday’s $200,000 5* Team Competition.
Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and My Clementine continued their strong start to Season 6 by finishing third. The Northern Lights rider also landed on the Qualifier podium in Toronto just one week ago, giving the pair back to back third place finishes through the opening two legs of the season.
With the first result of Leg 2 in the books, attention now turns to Friday’s $200,000 5* Team Competition, where Maccabi United will look to turn Thursday’s momentum into their first team result of the season.
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Photos © MLSJ / ERAVIII
Daniel Bluman and Gemma W
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