Bluman Triumphs in $40,000 1.45m National Grand Prix
Israel’s Mark Bluman successfully defended his title in the $40,000 1.45m National Grand Prix presented by The Lignelli Family at the Hampton Classic on Wednesday, leading the victory lap for the second consecutive year after stopping the clock in 33.057 seconds. This time, he blazed to the top of the leaderboard with Ubiluc, a 14-year-old Mecklenburg gelding owned by Daniel Bluman and Over The Top Stables LLC.
Celebrating 51 years of world-class equestrian competition in Bridgehampton, NY, the Hampton Classic features FEI CSI5* and CSI2* show jumping and USEF Premier hunter competitions with more than $1 million in prize money, August 23-30.
Nine of 19 horse-and-rider combinations successfully navigated Nick Granat’s 15-effort course in Wednesday’s $40,000 1.45m National Grand Prix, and eight returned to jump off for top honors. Bluman and Ubiluc were just the second to challenge the shortened track, setting the time to beat at 33.057 seconds. Every entry that followed did their best to keep up, but even Bluman’s second mount Phelina De Septon, who won the class in 2025, couldn’t catch that score.
“He’s my most seasoned horse,” Bluman said of Ubiluc. “This was in preparation for next week’s 5* in Canada. He’s very seasoned, so we just took advantage of having a good time today. JJ (Torano) got very close to our time. He’s an unbelievably young talent and there is a bright future ahead of him, but he still needs to work a little more to get to the old bucks!”
After stopping the clock in 33.622 seconds, JJ Torano (USA) earned second place aboard I Am Inge, the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Ilan Ferder with whom he earned double Silver medals in the 2026 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) Young Rider Final. Fellow American Ariana Marnell took third in 35.004 seconds aboard Jikke-Cara, Alison Firestone LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.
Jacobs Races to Victory in $32,000 BrainJuice CSI5* Two-Phase
Many of the horse-and-rider combinations competing in Thursday’s $32,000 BrainJuice CSI5* Two-Phase seemed to get faster as time went on, giving spectators an exciting taste of what’s to come at the 2026 Hampton Classic. In the end, it was Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Cristiano Obolensky who stood atop the podium, claiming victory in a blistering double-clear time of 26.17 seconds.
Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Cristiano Obolensky won the $32,000 BrainJuice CSI5* Two-Phase. (KindMedia)
Celebrating 51 years of world-class equestrian competition in Bridgehampton, NY, the Hampton Classic features FEI CSI5* and CSI2* show jumping and USEF Premier hunter competitions with more than $1 million in prize money, August 23-30.
Course designer Nick Granat presented 62 entries representing 10 nations with a twisting 1.45m track that featured 13 numbered jumps in Thursday’s $32,000 BrainJuice CSI5* Two-Phase. Jacobs went early in the order with her first mount, Playboy JT Z, then used her knowledge and Cristiano Obolensky’s footspeed to launch to the top of the leaderboard in 26.17 seconds. The class’s top three finishers were within half a second of each other.
“First I jumped the horse that I’m going to ride in the Grand Prix on Sunday, and I knew I had Cristiano coming later,” Jacobs said. “I really wanted to take a swing and win the class with him. I was very happy with the results with both.
“My horse is naturally very, very fast, is ultra careful in the air, and has a lot of experience going quick,” she continued about North Star’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding. “I think that came into play today, and it just fell into our lap. Nayel (Nassar) and Samantha (Schaefer) both had amazing rounds, so it was close. It was a great day today. My horses were great here last year, and we’re hoping for the best on Sunday.”
Second-place honors went to Nayel Nassar (EGY) for his faultless, 26.46-second score aboard Crislin Van Den Bosrand Z, Evergate Stables LLC’s 9-year-old Zangersheide mare. Samantha Schaefer (USA) landed third in 26.51 seconds aboard James Bond HX, Bonne Chance LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Canada’s Erynn Ballard was 4th aboard Her Game Ball BG.
Friday features the $116,100 CSI 5* Douglas Elliman GP Qualifier, while the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix and $70,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix take place on Sunday.
Results here.
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