Wellington, Fla. – March 8, 2026—The third five-star week of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) ended on a win for Colombia’s Mark Bluman riding Ubiluc in the $62,500 Hermès CSI5* 1.50m Classic on Sunday afternoon to close out Week 9. WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition—four of which are five-stars—running through March 29, in Wellington, FL.
Mark Bluman & Ubiluc are presented as winners of the $62,500 Hermès CSI5* 1.50m Classic by Ray Vega. Photo ©Sportfot
Nine different nations were represented in the second round over Alan Wade’s (IRL) final international track of the week, where the top 12 from the opening round jumped again on a clean slate to determine the winner. Bluman, who is on an exceptional run of form with 14 international podium finishes since November, returned with his 14-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (Ubiko x Lucian) owned by Bluman’s cousin Daniel and Over the Top Stables, to post the eventual winning time.
“My horse is naturally a bit quicker than the rest of the others across the ground,” said Bluman, who stopped the clock at 32.77. “As I was walking in the ring, I asked my cousin if he thought I could get the seven to the double. He said ‘absolutely,’ and I think that’s where we caught the time. “My turn from one to two was super slick, and then doing the seven was good enough to take the win.”
Watch The Winning Round
Bluman bumped Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard to second before she was pipped again by Ireland’s Jordan Coyle, who took second riding 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Ariso (Casall Ask x Contender) in 32.80 seconds for owner Elan Farm. Ballard and Ilan Ferder’s mare Dior, another 15-year-old Swedish-bred mount, finished on a time of 33.15 seconds to hold on for third.
“He’s super comfortable jumping 1.50m,” said Bluman, who admits he’s chasing the Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final, which will take place on March 21, under the shine of Saturday Night Lights during WEF 11.
Ubiluc’s next task will be the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 12, with hopes to qualify barn mate Landon de Nyze for the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix during Rolex Finale Week at Wellington International.
Mark Bluman & Ubiluc. Photo ©Sportfot
Of his successful end of 2025 and subsequent start to 2026, Bluman said, “I have many great supporters, and many people investing in my career right now. I’m very lucky—in the last six months, we’ve climbed over 30 spots in the world ranking, so the goal is to keep going that way.
For complete results from the $62,500 Hermès CSI5* 1.50m Classic, click HERE.
The final qualifiers for young horse finals during WEF 10 took place on Friday. Germany’s Richard Vogel took top call in the Lövsta Future Challenge 7-Year-Old Young Jumper 1.30m riding Diaron’s Pitscher RP by Diaron for owner Thaisa Erwin. In the North Star 1.20m Young Jumper qualifier for 6-year-olds, Ireland’s Kelly Taggart won aboard GVS Spice of Life by Qui Vive des Songes Z for owners Ralph and Hilly Caristo. Young horses will take to the International Arena next week for finals in their respective age groups and height divisions, sponsored by Lövsta Future Challenge and North Star.
Richard Vogel & Diaron’s Pitscher RP. Photo ©Sportfot
Richard Vogel & Diaron’s Pitscher RP are presented as winners of the Lövsta Future Challenge 7-Year-Old Young Jumper 1.30m. Photo ©Sportfot
Kelly Taggart & GVS Spice of Life. Photo ©Sportfot
Niki Martin and Jackson Champion in Don Little Masters
Niki Martin of Carmel, IN, and her own 10-year-old Westphalian gelding, Jackson, took top prize in the $10,000 Don Little Masters Jumper Classic, presented by Rushy Marsh Farm, as well as division champion of the week on Sunday morning during Week 9 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Niki Martin & Jackson. Photo ©Sportfot
“This is spectacular—I’m 65, so don’t give up, ladies and gentlemen, don’t give up,” said Martin, a now retired interventional radiologist, who has made her comeback to the competition arena with her Hickstead White sired gelding. She was last competing—and winning—in the masters division ten years ago.
A clear round to start the day allowed Martin and Jackson to advance to the second round and stop the clock at an unbeatable 34.57 seconds. The pair swept the division, also winning twice earlier in the week, so take home the top tricolor. Reserve Champion was awarded to Elizabeth Maloney of Franklin, MA, riding her own Clementine, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare.
Purchased from Ryan Genn in 2024, Martin’s partnership with Jackson has grown ever since, with the help of her trainer, Michael Tokaruk.
“The horse has done bigger classes before, and Michael rode him for me this summer. Michael suggested I do this class to have fun riding in the International Arena,” stated Martin.
“I was very conservative today—I did a lot of add-ups in the first round. In the jump off, I went slow and tight to the first jump, so I could spool him up as I went and not get him flat,” said Martin. “I wanted to end it on a good jump, so I “whoa’d” right in front of the last jump so when we go out there next week, under the lights, he’s ready.”
Highlighting WEF 10, the masters head to the big ring for the $20,000 Don Little Masters Classic under the lights, dubbed ‘Masters Mania’, on Thursday night.
Niki Martin & Jackson are presented as winners of the Don Little Masters Jumper Classic, presented by Rushy Marsh Farm. Photo ©Sportfot
For full results of the $10,000 Don Little Masters Jumper Classic, presented by Rushy Marsh Farm, click HERE.
For complete results from WEF 9, click HERE.
Show jumping returns to Wellington International during WEF 10, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, March 10 through 15. The week will host CSI4* jumping, the BrainJuice Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final and finals for young horses, sponsored by Lövsta Future Challenge and North Star. Visit WellingtonInternational.com for results, schedules, and wall-to-wall streaming.
