Daniel Bluman & Gemma W, winners of the Stoneleaf 3* Jumper Classic at Highlands Hudson Valley. Photo © Shannon Brinkman
Amenia, N.Y. – October 2, 2026—World no. 13 Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Gemma W bested a nine-horse jump-off to top the list in Friday’s $62,500 Stoneleaf 3* Jumper Classic at the 2026 Discovery Land Company Masters during opening week of the Autumn Invitational at Highlands.
Bluman and the 15-year-old Dutch-bred mare (Luidam x Unaniem), owned by Blue Star Investments and Over The Top Stables, set a target time of 43.39 seconds over a jump-off track designed by Nick Granat (USA).
The USA’s Megan McDermott was the closest challenger, stopping the clock at 43.92 seconds riding Da Vinci DV Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Dominator 2000 Z x Turbo van’t Gestelhof) owned by Counter Balance, LLC. Rounding out the podium, Philip McGuane (IRL) rode Paso Doble SCF, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Cassini I), for owner Evergate Stables. They stopped the clock at 45.68 seconds.
“I saw Paso Doble go and my plan was to do that same track,” said Bluman about his short-course strategy with Gemma W, his mount for the 2023 FEI World Cup™ Final in Omaha. “Gemma is very quick, so she made up some ground. Even if I had ended up second today, I would have been just as happy. I got a little bit of luck.
“It’s incredible to have a horse like her—she doesn’t need to prove anything,” continued Bluman, whose current goal is to keep Gemma W fit for the upcoming FEI World Cup™ North American League events in Washington and Toronto.
Hailing less than an hour down the road in North Salem, N.Y., Bluman raved about the growing opportunities to compete at a top level in the Northeast, a shared goal of the Highlands team when creating the event two years ago.
“It’s fantastic to have this show here; that has been the goal,” added Bluman. “We as a community of riders have been working for events like this over the last decade. You can see that now—when we aren’t in Florida, this is now the place to be and we’re home. The horses love it here—it’s a great place, and we are very lucky.”
Complete results from the $62,500 Stoneleaf 3* Jumper Classic can be found HERE.
Competition during the Discovery Land Company Masters features exceptional offerings for amateur athletes in a breathtaking setting, as well as three-star FEI competition culminating in Sunday’s featured Discovery Land Company 3* Grand Prix. General admission is free all week, and streaming is available at ClipMyHorse.Tv. For more information on ticketing, special events and schedules, visit www.highlandshudsonvalley.com.
Ellen Mollerus Wins GSS The Agency 1.20m Junior/Amateur
Highlighting competition for amateurs, Ellen Mollerus, 24, of Larchmont, N.Y., rode to a win in the GSS The Agency 1.20m Junior/Amateur in the irons of her own Colombia de Beaufour. She posted a jump-off time of 27.951 seconds over Samantha Higgins of Southampton, N.Y., who finished second riding Jalapeño C, owned by Twin Gates Equine, in 28.099 seconds.
Higgins also earned a victory earlier in the day in the Champion Shavings 1.10m Junior/Amateur riding Mullentine Shalom for owner Twin Gates Equine.
Rounding out the podium placings, Sienna Smith of Villa Park, Calif., and her own Chanbette claimed third in 29.913 seconds.
“She wants to do one thing, and that’s jump and go fast,” said Mollerus about her partner after their win. “If she’s doing that, she’s the happiest in the world.”
Mollerus, who rides under the direction of trainers Jill and Sydney Shulman at Back Country Farm, made her Highlands debut this week after setting the show as a goal at the start of the summer. “[Colombia] had a bit of time off this summer; this was her first show back. It’s been a great atmosphere for us to get back into it.
“It is so fun whenever we get to be at a show like this; it’s more boutique, smaller, and you get to experience the same atmosphere as some of the top riders in the world,” concluded Mollerus.
To close out the day, Dara Castle of Gaithersburg, Md., topped the opening CWD 1.0m Junior/Amateur riding her own As Di Boy.
Competition at Highlands continues to build on Saturday with classics for the INEOS 1.40m and Frank & Eileen 1.30m, while juniors and amateurs return to the ring at 1.0m and 1.10m heights. Complete results from Highlands Hudson Valley can be found HERE.
About Highlands Hudson Valley
Highlands is a 1,000-acre destination in New York’s Hudson Valley where world-class equestrian competition, luxury hospitality, automotive culture, art, and philanthropy come together. Home to The Autumn Invitational—a collection of signature events including the Discovery Land Company Masters, Highlands Cup, and Bridlemont Concours—it creates immersive experiences that celebrate sport while supporting meaningful community impact throughout the Hudson Valley. Highlands activations include The Gallery Experience, curated by acclaimed artist Brendan Murphy, as well as a Kid Zone, Fan Zone, The Shops at Highlands, and more. Highlands Horse Show Inc. is a New York 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. To learn more, visit www.highlandshudsonvalley.com.