Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by adminahb
Mark Bluman & Landon. Photo ©Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – January 29, 2026 — Colombia’s Mark Bluman and Landon de Nyze were picture-perfect to win the $116,100 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 on the grass derby field on Thursday during Week 4 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
In six international starts together over two competitions, Bluman and Landon have won twice. This time, the victory came over Anderson Lima’s (BRA) two-round grand prix qualifier, where the top 12 pairs returned with their faults carrying over to the jump-off.
“I’m very thankful for him — I’ve never ridden a horse of such caliber; he’s careful, tries hard, and we were well-suited from the first moment,” said Bluman of Landon, a horse previously ridden by his cousin Daniel Bluman and World No. 1 Kent Farrington before that. With Farrington, Landon won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal for the USA at the 2023 Pan American Games.
“We all knew in the family when Daniel purchased the horse, it was one that could suit me, and I took over the ride in November,” continued Mark of the Zangersheide gelding owned together with Over the Top Stables. “We haven’t had that much time together, but we trust each other, and he fights for me. I think that’s the biggest thing with a horse like this one; get him on your side, so whenever you need him, he can fight for you.”
Landon — a 13-year-old son of Comilfo Plus Z and Quadrillo — fought hard on Thursday, carrying Mark to a winning time of 50.15 seconds on zero faults. Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard was the only other double-clear finisher of the day, riding Dior owned by Ilan Ferder. She and the 12-year-old Swedish-bred mare (Diamantino x VDL Al Cantino) finished in 50.59 seconds.
USA’s Lillie Keenan rode 9-year-old Emerlon, owned by Chansonette Farm, to the fastest second-round time but carried forward a rail from the opening round to finish third. The Emerald x Toulon gelding stopped the clock at 47.85 seconds.
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