Pressure Points: REWIND on the 2024 Title Race

A look back at the rivalries, wins, and final showdown that shaped last year’s campaign…

Published

24 JUL 2025

Est. reading time

3 min

The 2024 season delivered exactly what Major League Show Jumping is known for — tight margins, high pressure, and title races that came down to the wire.

The Trelawny Trailblazers secured their second consecutive championship with a decisive performance at the Desert International Horse Park. They entered The Final in third — and left as back-to-back winners, proving they find another gear when it matters most. Led by team owner Cara Raether-Carey, the stacked roster delivered in La Quinta, closing out a season where no lead was safe and every point counted.

But they weren’t alone in the spotlight. The eight-leg tour stretched across North America, and the podium shifted constantly. Roadrunners took a key win in Monterrey, Maccabi United topped Greenwich, and Northern Lights claimed gold in Ottawa. By season’s end, only 22 points separated the top four teams:

Trailblazers: 136 pts

Roadrunners: 122 pts

Maccabi United: 115 pts

Northern Lights: 114 pts

Archers weren’t far behind at 108, while Helios, Eye Candy, and Team KPF rounded out the leaderboard. With no easy wins, every round pushed riders and horses to their edge.

Daniel Bluman—who helped seal the 2024 title for Trailblazers and now rides for Maccabi United—summed it up best:

“It all comes down to putting the team before yourself… You show up, you deliver. That’s what makes it work.”

As the 2025/26 season approaches, the question is whether the Trailblazers can pull off a three-peat—and whether Conor Swail will defend his position at the top of the Individual Standings and League MVP.

Individual Highlights: A Season of Firsts

The 2024 Grand Prix circuit delivered a mix of breakout wins, rising stars, and long-awaited milestones. Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard opened the season in Vancouver with her first-ever 5* Grand Prix win. USA’s Lillie Keenan followed with a fiery ride aboard Kick On to earn their first 5* victory as a duo in Angelstone. Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi stepped into the spotlight in Greenwich, claiming his first 5* Grand Prix win in his Major League debut.

Ireland’s Conor Swail finally added a 5* Grand Prix victory to his MLSJ résumé in Tryon — marking his 13th top-ten finish, the most of any rider in league history. Israeli Olympian Ashlee Bond closed the season with the $1 million 5* Grand Prix win at the Coachella Cup aboard her iconic Olympic partner, Donatello 141.

On the final leg of the tour, Conor Swail was named Individual Champion and League MVP after a season of unmatched consistency. Kent Farrington secured second overall, marking his third consecutive year on the podium. Lillie Keenan rounded out the top three, reinforcing her status as one of the most formidable riders on the tour.

The Stage Is Set

Season 5 introduces new venues, new storylines, and even higher stakes. The competition is faster. The field is deeper. And the margin for error is gone.

Every round is a battle. Every win must be earned.

It all starts August 7–10 in Traverse City. Let the games begin.

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