Press Release: August 7th 2025

Daniel Bluman Leads Off Major League Show Jumping Season 5 in Traverse City

Published

08 AUG 2025

Est. reading time

3 min

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2025

Contact: media@majorleagueshowjumping.com

Traverse City, MI—Daniel Bluman (ISR) cut the tape on season five of Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) in winning form by staking his claim on the $63,000 ClipMyHorse TV 5* Qualifier on Thursday evening aboard Hummer Z. MLSJ debuts in Traverse City, MI, this week—the same location where the tour first made its mark on North American five-star sport in 2021.

Bluman—currently ranked no. 21 in the world—rode Hummer Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (VDL Harley x Hemmingway) owned by Abigail Wexner, to a win over tracks from course designer Marina Azevedo (BRA).

In a 10-horse jump-off, three athletes elected to save their horses for Sunday’s 5* Grand Prix, which set the stage for a seven-horse battle over the first individual and team ranking points of the season. Bluman took over the lead in 39.94 seconds with only two to return behind him. Both Kristen Vanderveen (USA) on Bull Run's Jireh and Richard Spooner (USA) aboard Lyjanair challenged the lead, but came up short in 40.24 and 40.92 seconds, respectively.

“I looked at the starting list and knew that I had a couple of very quick riders coming after me. My plan was to go 80%—but lucky for me—Hummer is a very fast moving horse,” said Bluman. “More than the win itself, it's the way he went. He does anything I ask of him.”

The win didn’t come easy with a stacked field that included world no. 1 Kent Farrington and a handful of Olympians. “It's always great to win,” said the three-time Olympian. “It's difficult at this level with so many great riders and horses, so when you win you have to take it and be happy.”

Hummer Z was produced by four-time U.S. Olympian Beezie Madden, but the gelding found his way into Bluman’s string over the last year. “I was working with Beezie and John last year and they thought it could be a good match,” recalled Bluman. “The horse really wants to do what you ask him and that's pretty much a testament of what Beezie has done with her horses throughout her career.”

Of his plan heading into the 2025/2026 MLSJ season, Bluman said, “This week, every class is a target. Hummer’s target was this class and he delivered; he won it, which is fantastic. It’s the first win of the season and hopefully won't be the last.”

New in 2025, MLSJ team points are earned by the highest-placed team riders in all five-star events. With the lead-off victory, Bluman’s Maccabi United now sits atop the team standings heading into Friday’s Cabana Coast Team Competition.

Bluman eased into MLSJ slowly as a substitute rider in 2021, but dove in headfirst soon after, by joining rosters full-time the following seasons. Now, he leads Maccabi United alongside his cousins Mark and Ian Bluman.

“I think it's one of the best things that has happened to the sport worldwide and definitely the best thing that has happened to the sport in North America,” said the three-time Olympian of MLSJ influence on five-star sport. “We have beautiful shows and an amazing group of teams and team owners that are working hard to make it better every year. I believe in our team, and I think that we are going to be fighting for podium positions every week. The level is high but we're here to try to win it.”

Action continues at MLSJ Traverse City on Friday as teams go to battle in the first Cabana Coast Team Competition of season 5. The $312,500 5* Team Competition takes the stage at 5pm ET.

For more information on Major League Show Jumping and to view complete schedules, rosters and more, visit majorleagueshowjumping.com. Get in on the action by downloading the MLSJ App and tune in live all season at ClipMyHorse.tv.