Ilan Bluman and Acajou Win $200,000 Grand Prix in Ocala

Ocala celebrated 250 years of the United States Marine Corps with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of tribute and top sport at the $200,000 Armed Services Grand Prix CSI4*, presented by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The night kicked off with parachuters soaring into the arena, a special appearance by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, and the Caisson Horses, creating an electric atmosphere. Athletes representing 12 nations took to the WEC Grand Arena, but it was Ilan Bluman (COL) and his own Acajou (Casallco x Chico’s Boy) who rose to the occasion and galloped away with the victory.

FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN) set an impressive track that challenged the field. Just four combinations managed to find a path to a clear first round, setting up a thrilling jump-off featuring 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist Christian Kukuk (GER), accomplished U.S. rider Hunter Holloway, ‘Master of Faster’ Richard Spooner (USA), and the lightning-fast Ilan Bluman.

Reflecting on the first-round course, Richard Spooner praised Palacios’ design: “I am a huge fan of Leopoldo’s. I have been my whole career. Leopoldo makes you think; he keeps you on your toes. There is always something you have to ruminate about. Tonight, the track was careful and kept you on your game the entire time.”

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World No. 7 Christian Kukuk was the first to post a clear round aboard Beerbaum Stables GMBH’s 11-year-old KWPN mare, Just Be Gentle (Tyson x Ticallux Verte), making the technical course look effortless. First to return for the jump-off, Kukuk delivered an efficient, fault-free round in 41.95 seconds. Pleased with his performance, he shared his thoughts on the mare and his plans for the upcoming Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala: “I could have taken a few more risks, but I didn’t want to go crazy today. My plan is to come back here for the five-star. She saw the ring, she got used to everything because it is quite impressive when you come here the first time. But tonight, I am very happy with my result.”

Hunter Holloway and Henry Jota Ariel gave it their all but incurred two unfortunate rails, crossing the timers in 41.74 seconds.

Richard Spooner followed aboard his newer mount, Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano), a 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Show Jumping Syndications Int’l. Attempting an incredibly tight rollback to fence two, he couldn’t quite get there, resulting in a four-fault score and a time of 50.72 seconds.

As the final rider in the jump-off, Bluman aimed to snatch victory from Kukuk. “I wanted to go fast. I wanted to be efficient from one to two, then gallop to three and gallop to the oxer. I was able to protect her a little more to the double. Coming to the last one, there was no other option—I had to keep going forward. She’s a quick horse, and I knew I was going to be fast.”

Bluman and Acajou soared over the final oxer, stopping the clock in a mere 39.24 seconds to secure the win.

Speaking about his longtime partnership with the 10-year-old German Sport Horse mare, Bluman shared, “I bought this mare as a six-year-old. She’s now 10, so I know her pretty well. It’s been a long way to come to this level, but I think right now, she’s in a really good position. She’s a winner—she’s fast, she’s careful, she’s focused. I am really happy with her.”

Results here.