Wellington, United States – April 19, 2026 – Colombia’s Mark Bluman (COL) closed out international competition on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village with a win in the $120,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission Grand Prix CSI 3* aboard S&L Hello Sunshine during Week 3 of the Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment.
Second to last to return over Oscar Soberon’s (USA) jump-off track, Bluman and his 9-year-old Selle Français stallion bested the runner-up by an outstanding two seconds, making his way to the top of the podium in 34.66 seconds.
Keeping his eyes on the prize and sticking to his plan, Bluman spoke on his winning round with the Diamant de Semilly stallion, saying, “I think I did one less stride than everybody else to the double, and the horse is super-fast—we shaved off two seconds there. I started with a rhythm, and I continued with it the whole way around.”
“It’s a great feeling to finish the Florida season like this,” continued Bluman, who earned nine international podium finishes during the WEF season and made it 10 on Sunday. “Everybody loves this place, so to be the last [FEI] winner on this field, it feels great.”
The next best time—36.52 seconds—was just enough to land Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) a second-place finish aboard his own 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding Scoop de Septon Z (Hunters Scendro x Echo van’t Spievald).
Going home in third place was Egyptian Olympian Nayel Nassar (EGY) and ESI Ali, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Stakkato Gold x Tygo) owned by Evergate Stables, after stopping the clock at 36.82 seconds.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission Grand Prix CSI 3* was the final international offering on the Equestrian Village derby field before grass competition pivots to the all-new state-of-the-art field at the main WEF grounds for the 2027 season.
“I grew up watching most of the people that jump in the grand prix, and now to be able to compete against them and actually beat them, it feels pretty good,” concluded Bluman. “I think Wellington is the pinnacle of the sport in North America. Every win is very special, regardless of the level—and this year—we were lucky enough to have a few wins.”
The Spring Series spans five weeks and runs through May 10, featuring hunter, jumper and equitation competition at Wellington International, home of the famed Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Learn more about the Spring Series HERE.
Final Results – $120,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission Grand Prix CSI 3*
1) Mark Bluman (COL) & S&L Hello Sunshine – 0 / 0 – 34.66
2) Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) & Scoop de Septon Z – 0 / 0 – 36.52
3) Nayel Nassar (EGY) & ESI Ali – 0 / 0 – 36.82
Source: Press Release from Wellington International
Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein
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