Mark Bluman of Colombia blazed to his second victory in as many days in the $170,000 Mad Barn Big Ben Challenge on Thursday evening, November 13, at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
After winning the McKee Family International Speed one night earlier, Bluman rose to the occasion once again in the Mad Barn Big Ben Challenge, this time aboard Ubiluc, owned by Daniel Bluman and Over The Top Stables. Mark attacked the short course designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany, and laid it all on the line as he flew to the final obstacle, a delicate vertical. Ultimately, he set an uncatchable time at 35.62 seconds.
The German-bred Ubiluc has been a part of the Bluman Equestrian program since the 13-year-old gelding (Ubiko x Lucian) was six. Ridden by Mark as a six and seven-year-old, his cousin, Daniel, then took over the ride and developed the horse to the international level. He handed the reins back to Mark in 2023 and, since then, the pair have collected an astounding 44 top 10 international finishes.
The familial partnership was on full display on Thursday night in the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
“I told Daniel to watch the jump-off because I wanted to concentrate on warming up the horse correctly,” said Mark, 34, who is competing at the Royal Horse Show for the first time. “He told me exactly what I needed to do to make it happen and it paid off. He’s a very fast horse so I had that to my advantage.”
Of his competitive debut in Toronto, Mark said, “Winning the Big Ben, named after a legend in the sport, here at The Royal, a very prestigious horse show, is one of my biggest wins with him. I came with big expectations and wanted to make a statement and try to be top five in every class.”
In addition to his two victories, Mark stayed true to his plan and finished fifth in the opening Strength & Speed Welcome on Wednesday.
“This is an unbelievable horse show,” he continued about his experience at The Royal, now in its 103rd year. “It’s not only a horse show, but also an event and one of the best shows I’ve ever been to in my life. The crowd is so involved, and the atmosphere when the crowd is cheering for you is the most amazing feeling. It’s what I have enjoyed the most about being here.”
Also making her Royal debut, Nina Mallevaey, 25, of France jumped a foot perfect jump-off to finish three tenths of a second off the winning pace. She and Nikka vd Bisschop settled for second on a time 35.93 seconds for owners the Rein Family LLC and Tara Dow-Rein. Brian Moggre, 24, of the United States rounded out the podium placings in third riding longtime partner MTM Vivre le Reve, owned by Major Wager LLC. They stopped the clock at 36.42 seconds.
France’s Nina Mallevaey won the $45,000 Brickenden Trophy aboard Destine to Be on Thursday afternoon. (Ben Radvanyi Photography)
Mallevaey, the reigning French national champion, won the $45,000 CSI5*-W Brickenden Trophy, which served as a prelude to the Mad Barn Big Ben Challenge on Thursday afternoon. She piloted Destine to Be, also owned by the Rein Family LLC, to the win by more than a second over runner-up Daniel Bluman riding his Rebelline de Kwakenbeek.
“I really like indoor shows, especially indoor shows on the World Cup circuit,” said Mallevaey, who had never competed at the Royal Horse Show before this week, but heard about the event’s global reputation for top sport and family friendly entertainment. “There’s so much atmosphere here; it is amazing to ride when there are so many people around who cheer for everyone. It’s real sport and I am happy to be here.
“The whole Rein family is here and it’s their country so it’s nice to do well for them here,” continued Mallevaey, who got the ride on the Rein Family’s nine-year-old Diamant de Semilly son at the end of the gelding’s eight-year-old year. “We’ve been producing him slowly and he is doing his few first five-star shows now. He still needs to get experience, but I think he is a good horse for the future; he has scope, is smart, and very fast.”
Mallevaey also earned a fourth-place finish in the opening CSI2* Speed class riding Lamkel Ze TB for the Rein Family. Skylar Wireman of the United States took the win riding Chirolito, a 14-year-old stallion she owns with MJ Kaplan and her mother, Shayne Wireman. Canada’s own Rachel Schnurr was second riding her Copain de Picobello Z, and yet another Rein Family mount, Diablotine Jump, took third with Cassidy Rein of Canada in the tack.
International show jumping competition continues through Saturday, November 15, at the Royal Horse Show. As the world’s best compete for international show jumping glory, anticipation will be building for the $280,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, taking center stage on Saturday evening. The event will serve as a coveted qualifier for the 2026 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Catch all the CSI5*-W action live on FEI.TV.
To purchase tickets for the 2025 Royal Horse Show, visit www.royalfair.org/horse-show/.
$170,000 Mad Barn Big Ben Challenge
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Rider / Nation / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Mark Bluman / COL / Ubiluc / 0:0 / 35.62
2. Nina Mallevaey / FRA / Nikka vd Bisschop / 0:0 / 35.93
3. Brian Moggre / USA / MTM Vivre le Reve / 0:0 / 36.42
4. Rene Dittmer / GER / Cody 139 / 0:0 / 36.84
5. Kyle Timm / CAN / Casino Calvin / 0:0 / 37.56
$45,000 Brickenden Trophy
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Rider / Nation / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Nina Mallevaey / FRA / Destine to Be / 0:0 / 35.14
2. Daniel Bluman / ISR / Rebelline de Kwakenbeek / 0:0 / 36.23
3. Kyle Timm / CAN / Atomica des Sequoias Z / 0:0 / 36.73
4. Rene Dittmer / GER / Echo vh Gerendal Z / 0:0 / 37.34
5. Nicole Walker / CAN / Atout des Trambles / 0:0 / 37.40
Complete results here.
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