Jobin Keeps Up the Pace in CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome
Sean Jobin (CAN) got off to the fastest start of international competition at the Royal Horse Show, topping the $32,000 CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome with Mr. & Mrs. J. Renwick’s Arkuga.
The pair crossed the final timers of the 1.45m Power and Speed competition in 21.13 seconds. Rene Dittmer (GER) finished second with Caldwell 5 (21.61 seconds), followed by Nicole Walker (CAN) and Eve d’Ouilly (22.39s).
“I’m feeling awesome. That was a great way to start the week for sure!” Jobin exclaimed. “It’s special to win any time in a five-star week, but just being in Toronto in front of a home crowd…It’s really cool to hear the Canadian anthem here.”
The win marked Jobin’s second in speed competition at the 2026 Royal Horse Show. He also led the victory lap in the first round of the Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship on opening night, topping the faults converted competition with Grande Dame DK.
In the CSI5*-W Strength and Speed Welcome, Jobin was once again on the right pace from the start. But he and Arkuga took things up a notch when they entered the speed portion of the track, finding their winning edge with some exceptionally smooth inside turns.
“He’s just a really quick horse overall,” Jobin said. “He’s really quick at the jumps, and he’s really quick with his step. I thought when he made that second inside turn smooth—it was tight—and jumped [that fence] clear, I thought we had a really good chance [to win].”
Jobin has been partnered with Arkuga, a 15-year-old Anglo-European gelding, for more than three years. The bay has always made his preference for pace known; they key to success has been channeling that energy in the right ways.
“It’s been a long time understanding him and getting to know him. It took me a while to figure out the way he wants to go with speed,” Jobin shared. “I think the biggest thing with him is to just let him go quick. Whatever feels right, is right with him. He’s so quick in the air [that] you don’t have to overthink it.”
Results here.
Mark Bluman (ISR) and Phelina de Septon. (Ben Radvanyi Photography)
Deja Vu for Bluman and Phelina de Septon in CSI5*-W McKee Family International Challenge
It was a familiar start to international jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show Wednesday for Mark Bluman (ISR). After winning the $40,000 CSI5*-W McKee Family International Challenge with Phelina de Septon in his Royal debut last year, Bluman repeated the feat with the same mare in 2026.
Bluman and Phelina crossed the timers of Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) 1.45m speed track in an untouchable 45.50 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Gray’s Inn finished second (47.26 seconds), while Amy Millar (CAN) and Christiano rounded out the podium (48.44s).
“Every time I ride [Phelina], I feel confident,” said, who has been partnered with the 11-year-old mare for just under two years. “I have to make a mistake for her not to do well. So today I was feeling pretty good and, it was a good class.”
The Royal Horse Show, which runs Nov. 6-15, is part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. A nine-day showcase of equestrian sport, the show features a wide variety of disciplines, from international show jumping and dressage to national show hunters, indoor eventing, and an array of unique horse breeds, with the marquee event, the CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, set for Saturday, November 14.
Wednesday’s feature, the CSI5*-W McKee Family International Challenge, boasted a competitive field, with seven of the World’s top 30-ranked jumping athletes in the lineup. Fresh off their win in the Canadian Show Jumping Championships, Millar and Christiano carried their momentum forward and laid down the first competitive standard of the competition, albeit with a slightly wider turn to Jump 5, a wide liverpool oxer.
The pair was overtaken when Vale and Gray’s Inn took their turn, shaving nearly 1.5 seconds off Millar’s time and increasing the pressure on the remainder of the field. But Bluman is far from risk-averse, and he entered the Coca-Cola Coliseum with a clear mind, focusing only on his plan. Taking an impressive turn back to the oxer-vertical combination at 3ab and boldly leaving out a stride to the oxer at 7, he and Phelina galloped through the timers nearly two seconds in front, never to be caught.
“I actually didn’t get to see anybody. I was just riding my plan,” Bluman said. “[Phelina] actually thinks ahead of me. She knows the game. She has an unbelievable record, and every time she goes to a show, she produces a good result. I’m very lucky to have her.”
Bluman was a newcomer to downtown Toronto last year, but he certainly didn’t act like it, ending up as show’s Leading International Rider with two CSI5*-W victories. He is already in hot pursuit to repeat the feat.
“[Phelina] was great here last year. These classes suit her very well—she’s a speed demon,” Bluman said. “We’re very happy to start the Royal again this way. Thank you to the fans for coming out to cheer [for us]!”
Results here.
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