You can’t say they pulled any punches when it came to high-drama.
Armed Services Night under the lights at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala brought all the action: parachuters soaring into the arena, a special appearance by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, and the much-loved Caisson Horses.
But there was nothing staged about the four-way battle for the night’s hallmark $200,000 Armed Services Grand Prix CSI4*.
Top talents from the U.S. and Colombia were joined by the reigning individual Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER), all testing the mettle of up-and-coming partnerships on Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and Peter Grant (CAN)’s jump-off course. By the end of the night, it would be Bluman and Acajou who punched the coveted win, with Kukuk settling for second.
“I could have taken a few more risks, but I didn’t want to go crazy today,” said the German pathfinder, who stopped the clock at 41.95 seconds with the 11-year-old KWPN mare, Just Be Gentle. “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.”
The next two American riders, Hunter Holloway and Richard Spooner, ultimately went for too much.
Holloway pulled two rails with Henry Jota Ariel, while Spooner took one pole after a too-tight rollback turn with his brand new partner, Lyjanair—a former Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) ride. Last to go, Bluman used Acajou’s deer-like quickness across the ground to work the course’s long gallops in his favor, stopping the clock at a dominant 39.24 seconds.
It’s just the latest in a string of promising results for Bluman and the 10-year-old DSP mare, who’s finished in the top 10 in five of her last six outings at WEC Ocala, according to Jumpr. In fact, in just seven starts at 1.55m in her career, the speedy Acajou finishes in the top 10 43% of the time.
“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,” Bluman reflected after the class. “She’s a winner—she’s fast, she’s careful, she’s focused. I am really happy with her.”