Maccabi United furthered their lead in the season standings by winning the $262,500 5* Team Competition, presented by Cabana Coast, during Leg 6 of Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) in Thermal, California.
Maccabi United now leads the Trelawny Trailblazers by 15 points after a win in the desert.
“We were going really fast,” said team anchor and Maccabi United owner Daniel Bluman (ISR), who faced off against the Archers’ Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) in the gold medal round. “I thought the best strategy was to put up a very strong time. If for some reason I knocked one down, it was still going to be enough pressure that we had a chance to win.”
Bluman’s strategy proved to be a winning one after he and Hummer Z jumped their team to a win despite a rail on the ground. Philippaerts—their gold medal rival—jumped clear aboard H&M Que Sera but couldn’t catch Bluman’s time in the faults converted format.
Daniel Bluman was sent to the gold medal round by a double-clear performance from Mark Bluman (COL) riding Phelina de Septon and a round-two clear from team rookie Uma O’Neill (AUS).
“This was my first night jumping on Maccabi United—we were able to put it all together and have a great game plan,” said O’Neill, who rode Luigi d’Eclipse. “I had a great time tonight—the format is fun. I’m California based and I think it’s fantastic to have Major League come out for these two weeks. It brings the level up in California and it’s nice to have so many people from the east get to experience what the desert has to offer.”
Mark Bluman, who posted a double-clear night for Maccabi United aboard Phelina de Septon said, “It was the goal from the beginning when we started The League to be very competitive. So far, the strategy has been working, and we’ve been lucky to have results in every single leg.”
The Archers settled for silver behind Maccabi United, while Helios took bronze.
Complete results from the $262,500 5* Team Competition, presented by Cabana Coast, can be found here.
For more information on Major League Show Jumping and to view complete schedules, rosters and more, visit majorleagueshowjumping.com.
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