Greenwich, United States – September 27, 2026 – Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Corbie V.V. flipped the script in Greenwich on Saturday, returning one year after their runner up finish to take the $340,000 Grand Prix of Greenwich CSI 5* as the only double clear of the day.
A field of 33 combinations contested Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) 1.60m track at the Greenwich Polo Club for the CSI Greenwich, with challenging weather conditions adding another element to an already demanding Grand Prix.
First into the ring, Simon McCarthy (IRL) and Igor GPH wasted little time showing the field that the course could be jumped clear, setting the standard as the pathfinders of the opening round.
As the class progressed, the triple bar at fence seven proved to be one of the most influential questions on Jorge’s track. Set at 1.90m wide, its back rail caught several combinations as riders fought for a place in the jump off.
By the conclusion of the first round, six combinations had advanced.
McCarthy and Igor GPH were once again first to return, this time finishing with eight penalty-points and leaving the door open for the five combinations still to follow.
McLain Ward (USA) and Lestro VD Valckenborg were next to challenge. With several fast combinations behind him, Ward looked to use his horse’s stride to put pressure on the rest of the field.
“In the jump off I went early and I had some fast people coming behind me, and I wanted to use my horse’s stride,” said Ward.
The front rail of the third fence came down, leaving Ward on four faults and ultimately securing the pair third place.
Defending Greenwich Grand Prix champion Kent Farrington (USA) returned aboard Descartes SR looking to repeat his win from one year ago. Farrington was quick, but a rail at the B element of the combination left him on four penalty-points. His time was enough to move ahead of Ward and ultimately secure the runner up position.
The result marked Farrington’s third straight second-place finish in an MLSJ Grand Prix this season, after matching results in Toronto and Traverse City.
“That’s frustrating in one sense, but in another it’s great performances with great horses, and I’m proud of that,” said Farrington. “Those seconds turn into firsts.”
Second last to challenge, Bluman entered the ring aboard Corbie V.V. having watched two of the fastest riders in the field take their shot. With no double-clear yet recorded, the lead was within reach.
“For sure, going after these guys and not before, in a jump off like this is a huge advantage,” said Bluman, referring to Farrington and Ward. “My best bet was to jump a clear round.”
Bluman and Corbie V.V. did exactly that, leaving every rail standing and stopping the clock at 44.26 seconds. The pair became the first double clear of the Grand Prix and moved into the lead with just one combination remaining.
Their performance would not be matched.
One year after finishing second to Farrington by just 0.03 seconds in the Greenwich Grand Prix, Bluman returned to reverse the order and take the 2026 title. Farrington finished runner up, while Ward and Lestro VD Valckenborg completed the podium in third.
The difficult weather conditions added another challenge throughout the afternoon, with both Farrington and Ward crediting the organizers for keeping the competition moving forward.
“Tough conditions today for the show. I thought they did a great job of making the event able to go,” said Farrington.
For Bluman and Corbie V.V., patience and a calculated jump-off strategy delivered the result that had eluded them by just 0.03 seconds one year ago.
Final Results – $340,000 Grand Prix of Greenwich CSI 5*
1) Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Corbie V.V. – 0 / 0 – 44.26
2) Kent Farrington (USA) & Descartes SR – 0 / 4 – 41.31
3) McLain Ward (USA) & Lestro VD Valckenborg – 0 / 4 – 43.31
Source: Press Release from Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ)
Photos: © MLSJ / ERAVIII
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