Mark Bluman wins RBC Grand Prix in Spruce Meadows debut
Colombian rider captured victory on grass with one of only two clean jump-off rounds at the National show jumping tournament.
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Mark Bluman won the RBC Grand Prix of Canada at Spruce Meadows on Saturday in his first time competing in the International Ring.
The Colombian rider and his horse Landon de Nyze delivered one of only two fault-free performances of the day, stopping the clock in 44.44 seconds to secure victory.
"It's my first time here," Bluman said after the win. "So managing the long jumps and long rails it's a bit of an adjustment, but you know, the horses fly on this footing — I'm not a huge grass rider myself, but this grass is unbelievable. Riding in there is just the best feeling ever."
Belgian Jos Verlooy and Nixon Van't Meulenhof also produced a clean jump-off, finishing second in 49.02. Irish rider Daniel Coyle rounded out the podium in third place despite posting the fastest time of 41.99 aboard Farrel — a single rail down cost the pair four faults.
Bluman earned his second significant victory in as many days after finishing 1-2 in the RBC Capital Markets Cup on Friday night. His countryman John Perez Bohm also captured the 1.45M ATCO Cup with Lareusa S. on Saturday.
The National tournament wraps up Sunday at Spruce Meadows.