Wellington, Fla. – March 15, 2026—Colombia’s Mark Bluman made his mark once again, adding another $62,500 Hermès 1.50m Classic blue ribbon win to his credit. This time riding S&L Hello Sunshine, on Sunday of CSI4* Week 10 during the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
With twelve combinations out of a forty-rider line-up returning to the jump-off track set by Ken Krome (USA), Bluman, who is on an exceptional run of form with 15 international podium finishes since November, returned with the 8-year-old Selle Français stallion for owner S & L Farms. With a time of 39.90 seconds, Bluman overtook the previous leading time of Nicola Philippaerts (BEL).
Mark Bluman & S&L Sunshine are presented as winners of the $62,500 Hermès 1.50m Classic. Photo ©Sportfot
“The horse is super fast, and he has a huge stride. I did seven and seven in the first two lines, and I ended up doing the leaveout to the last,” said Bluman of the Diamant de Semilly stallion’s execution of the tie-breaking round. “I think everything else was super smooth; I caught a good rhythm starting the jump-off, so it worked out.”
Less than a second separated Egyptian Olympian, Nayel Nassar and Orphea HQ, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Evergate Stables, from the first-place finish. 40.28 seconds put Nassar in second while Philippaerts held on for third in 41.30 seconds riding his own 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Rolex Ter Leydonck.
Gaining the ride on S & L Hello Sunshine as a 7-year-old, Bluman has spent the last year slowly producing him, taking it step by step. “It’s a super horse, very competitive. I think at the end of the day, he’s going to play a big role in my string of horses.”
Of his growing partnership, Bluman spoke on his mount’s personality, saying, “He’s a stallion, but he doesn’t really know he is one. He’s super friendly, very sweet and overall a very good horse.”
Watch The Winning Round
Being one of five in the Bluman family, support in and out of the saddle is not something the family lacks. Mark spoke on his family’s constant support, saying, “My family is a big help along with Mario Deslauriers, who helps me a lot. They’re all investing in my career, so I hope big things are coming in the future for me, and I’m very grateful for all that.”
For full results of the $62,500 Hèrmes CSI4* 1.50m Classic, click HERE.
Grand Hunter Packed With Junior Hunter Action
The junior hunters closed out a rainy Sunday afternoon in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter arena during Week 10 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Emi Richard of Middlefield, CT, swept the TR Capitol Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division as champion with Encore and reserve champion with Capaldi. In the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division sponsored by Voltaire Design, champion was awarded to Balthazar and Lilly Herzog of Pepper Pike, OH, and the reserve champion went to Urado SV and Parker Peacock of Pfafftown, NC.
Grace Stenbeck-Werner, of Los Angeles, CA, and Alder earned champion in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, while Clara Burnham of Boulder, CO, and Hardrock Harmonie Sih earned reserve champion. Champion of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division was Aeronautic and Parker Peacock of Pfafftown, NC. Reserve champion went to Styles and Lilly Herzog of Pepper Pike, OH.
Emi Richards & Encore. Photo ©Sportfot
Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under
Champion Encore and Emi Richard
Reserve Champion Capaldi and Emi Richard
Lily Herzog & Balthazar. Photo ©Sportfot
Large Junior Hunter 16 – 17
Champion Balthazar and Lilly Herzog
Reserve Champion Urado SV and Parker Peacock
Grace Stenbeck-Werner & Adler. Photo ©Sportfot
Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under
Champion Alder and Grace Stenbeck-Werner
Reserve Champion Hardrock Harmonie Sih and Clara Burnham
Parker Peacock & Aeronautic. Photo ©Sportfot
Small Junior Hunter 16 – 17
Champion Aeronautic and Parker Peacock
Reserve Champion Styles and Lilly Herzog
For full results from WEF 10, click HERE.
