Wellington, Fla. – January 15, 2026—During the two months ahead of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Mark Bluman (COL) and Phelina de Septon collected nine international top 10 finishes together. They kept that streak alive on opening day of FEI competition during WEF 2 by winning the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m Speed on the grass derby field at Wellington International on Thursday.
Mark Bluman & Phelina de Septon. Photo ©Sportfot
Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs at Wellington International through March 29 in Wellington, FL.
The one-round speed set by course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER) was the perfect stage for Bluman and Phelina de Septon to put their natural speed to good use and finish more than a second ahead of nearest challenger Ben Maher (GBR) riding Ginger-Blue for owner Jane Forbes Clark. The former Olympic champion stopped the clock at 63.44 seconds, while Bluman and his 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Jenson Van’t Meulenhof x Landor S) owned by Mario Deslauriers broke the timer beam in 62.2 seconds.
Mark Bluman & Phelina de Septon are presented as winners of the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m Speed by CEO Mark Dodd. Photo ©Sportfot
USA’s Chloe Reid rounded out the podium in 64.85 second aboard Chelsea 179, owned by Live Oak Plantation.
“This field is a beautiful place to be, and it feels great to be back,” said Bluman, who got the ride on Phelina de Septon in May of 2025. “This is my first [WEF] season with her, but since I started with her, it’s been unbelievable—we’ve had an unbelievable run.”
Bluman and the mare have pocketed eight international podium finishes since their partnership began. “She’s so game—you need to have a major mistake for her to have a rail.”
Bluman is aiming Phelin de Septon at the Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, with the major goal being the $150,000 final during WEF 11.
For Bluman himself, his current string consists of several top performing mounts. His current focus is the 2026 World Championships in Aachen with new partner Landon. “If you would have told me when I first moved here [to the States] that I would have a group of horses like I have now, I would have told you that I didn’t see it as being possible.”
For complete results from the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m Speed, click HERE.
Opening the day on the grass derby field, Luis Fernando Larrazabal, (VEN) won the Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Two-Phase riding his 2025 Pan American Games partner Baroness, owned together with Leeann Ablin.
Luis Fernando Larrazabal & Baroness, winners of the Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Two-Phase. Photo ©Sportfot
In the International Arena, Colombia’s Roberto Teran Tafur riding DSP Callas topped the $10,000 Dodd Technologies 1.45m, a qualifier for the $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic National Grand Prix taking place during Saturday Night Lights at 7 p.m. ET on January 17.
Roberto Teran Tafur & DSP Callas. Photo ©Sportfot
Roberto Teran Tafur & DSP Callas are presented as winners of the $10,000 Dodd Technologies 1.45m by Mark Dodd, CEO of Dodd Technologies. Photo ©Sportfot
Competition continues during WEF 2, sponsored by Southern Arches, continued Friday with the with the $32,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round before the $140,000 Southern Arches CSI3* Grand Prix takes center stage on the derby field Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
Scott Stewart Takes High Performance Conformation Title
Scott Stewart and California Love started off their season at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a champion tricolor in the Wellington Regional Medical Center High Performance Conformation division.
Scott Stewart & California Love. Photo ©Sportfot
Stewart and the 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Daytona Love won three times over fences as well topping the under saddle and model to take top call for owner Dr. Betsee Parker.
After a recent break from the show ring, California Love Daytona Love came out strong scoring 89, 87 and 84 over fences. “We don’t show him that much and the last time he’s shown was The National in late October.” Stewart of Wellington, FL, said. “The focus is always keeping him fit enough for jumping.”
Scott Stewart & California Love, champions of the Wellington Regional Medical Center High Performance Conformation division. Photo ©Sportfot
Starting the season on a high note, Stewart is hoping California Love can continue with consistent rounds in the high performance and conformation classes. Their major goal is to shine during the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week halfway through the season.
“I’ve got some nice new horses that I’m looking forward to,” Stewart said about his 2026 WEF season, who also championed the 3’6” Green and Green Conformation hunters with new mount Rosewood during WEF 2.
Maria Rasmussen & SVF Changeup. Photo ©Sportfot
Reserve Champion was awarded to Maria Rasmussen of Royal Palm Beach, FL, aboard SVF Changeup owned by Sunset View Farm.
Full results of the High Performance Conformation Hunter division can be found HERE.
Full results from WEF 2 are available HERE.
