By Kate Pettersen, Kim Beaudoin, and Sabrina Brashares for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
It was a day of firsts for Mark Bluman (ISR) as he and his mount, the eight-year-old Noortje Vd Windheuvel owned by Over The Top Stables, LLC, flew to the top of the podium in the $30,000 CP Grand Prix, their first grand prix class together. They were also first to go in the starting order, first to return in the jump-off, and as luck would have it, they ended the class in first place with a double-clear effort in a time of 42.784 seconds.
“Since we got her I’ve been saying that she [was] one of the most talented seven-year-olds I’ve ever ridden,” he beamed. “She has a great attitude, she’s quiet, and she always wants to do a good job for you. She’s fast, scopey, and has all the qualities to be a real grand prix horse.”
The Belgian Warmblood mare by Farfleu De Muze x Calista Vd Windheuvel showed those aforementioned qualities as they raced around the shortened course with authority to solidify the win.
Just off the mark in a time of 43.319 seconds was Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) with his own 14-year-old mare Centarew, leaving the jumps in their cups for a second-place finish. U.S. rider Nicholas Dello Joio piloted Gelvera for Hi Hopes Farm, LLC, into third position with a double clear round, stopping the timers in 44.037 seconds.
Bluman plans to continue his campaign at WEF with the talented mare in his string, hoping to continue to jump grand prix classes as she gains more experience. After that, he’ll hand the reins over to her new owner for what is shaping up to be a bright future ahead.
“We’ve had her in the barn since the beginning of her seven-year-old year and just recently a student of mine bought her,” he said. “I’m still producing her a little bit, and she’ll take over the ride at the end of circuit.”
Final Results $30,000 CP Grand Prix
1. NOORTJE VD WINDHEUVEL: 2013 mare by Farfleu De Muze x Calista Vd Windheuvel MARK BLUMAN (ISR), Over The Top Stables, LLC: 0/0/42.784
2. CENTAREW: 2007 Oldenburg gelding by Centadel x Darewa
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ (MEX), Enrique Gonzalez: 0/0/43.319
3. GELVERA: 2011 KWPN mare by Quality Time x Wunderful Vera
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/44.037
4. KATINKA DREE BOEKEN: 2011 Hanoverian mare by King Kolibri x Dree Boeken’s Piroschka
DANI G WALDMAN (ISR), Waldman Horses B.V. and Starwyn Sporthorses B.V.: 0/0/44.936
5. VERDICT DE KEZEG: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Diamant De Semilly x Hazelle De Rhuys
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/4/41.344
6. MAESTRO VAN HET BINNENVELD: 2012 BWP stallion by Scendix x Carmen Z
VICTORIA BIRDSALL (USA), Ilan Ferder: 0/4/41.495
7. CALVA D’OR Z: 2009 WB stallion by Calvaro Z x Quinta V Z
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Rocking D Ranch: 0/8/46.823
8. CASSIUS VD BUNTE Z: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Calvaro Z x Minerva
VICTORIA COLVIN (USA), Burkhard Metzger: 0/12/44.729
9. BUGATTI: 2006 KWPN gelding by Heartbreaker x Pilot
WILHELM GENN (GER), Eduardo Leon: 1/77.519
10. LIGHT BLUE 3: 2012 Oldenburg gelding by Light On x Cayenne
EMILY MOFFIT (GBR), Poden Farms: 1/77.745
11. VALENTINO V Z: 2009 Zangersheide stallion by Verdi x Converter
MARIA COSTA (USA), Ravello Farms, LLC: 2/78.280
12. LOVE: 2010 WB gelding by Heartbreaker x Anemoon
NORA GRAY (CAN), Molly Ohrstrom: 3/79.932
