Daniel Bluman Pulls off a Win in the $117,000 Grand Prix Qualifer at WEC

In a field of 40 international show jumpers, Israel's Daniel Bluman won the CSI4* $117,000 with his longtime partner Gemma W by less than half a second. Bluman and the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare were one of 12 competitors in the 1.50-meter class who advanced to the jump-off, and then one of seven double clears.

The times were close among the double-clear rounds in the jump-off during the third week of the Winter Spectacular at WEC Ocala.

For the U.S., Aaron Vale is second, McLain Ward seventh

When it was his turn in the jump-off, Aaron Vale and Gray's Inn, a 12-year-old Czech Warmblood gelding, had taken the lead from Lebanon's Jad Dana, who finished in third with Itchcock Des Dames, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.

In the top 10 placings for the U.S., Lacey Gilbertson and 11-year-old Zangersheide mare Loulou Mpsz came in tenth.

Watch the WEC Ocala Winter Spectacular HERE on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV

Top 10 Results:

1 Daniel Bluman (Israel) - GEMMA W - 0/33.21

2 Aaron Vale (U.S.) - GRAY'S INN - 0/33.65

3 Jad Dana (Lebanon) - ITCHCOCK DES DAMES - 0/33.84

4 Pieter de Brabandere (Belgium) - DOTHRAKI WARLORD - 0/34.00

5 Erynn Ballard (Canada) - DIOR - 0/34.42

6 Shane Sweetnam (Ireland) - RURAL JUROR SCF - 0/34.78

7 McLain Ward (U.S.) - LESTRO VD VALCKENBORG - 0/35.17

8 Sloane Coles - NINJA JW VAN DE MOERHOEVE - 4/34.25

9 Erynn Ballard (Canada) - HER GAME BALL BG -4/35.08

10 Lacey Gilbertson (U.S) - LOULOU MPSZ - 4/36.14

Photo credit: Andrew Ryback Photography