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Daniel Bluman

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Daniel Bluman (Hebrew: דניאל בלומן; born 15 March 1990) is an Olympic show jumping rider.[3][4] Born in Colombia, he represents Israel internationally and competed for his country of birth in the past. Bluman qualified to represent Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but did not compete due to a clerical error in his horse's registration. Bluman represented Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Palace of Versailles in individual jumping and team jumping (in which Israel came in 9th).

Daniel Bluman
Bluman riding Cantando in 2013
Personal information
Native nameדניאל בלומן
Birth nameDaniel Bluman Doron[a][1]
National team Colombia (until mid 2016)
 Israel (since late 2016)
CitizenshipColombian, Israeli
Born (1990-03-15) 15 March 1990 (age 34)[2]
Medellín, Colombia
Alma materFlorida Atlantic University
Height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight72 kg (159 lb)
SpouseAriel Epstein
Children2 sons
Sport
Country Colombia (until mid 2016)
 Israel (since late 2016)
SportEquestrian
RankWorld No. 11 (2021)
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing  Colombia
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Veracruz Team jumping

Early life

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Bluman was born in Medellín, Colombia, and is Jewish.[5][6]

His father Samuel is an entrepreneur, and his mother Orly is a psychologist and social worker.[6][7] His brother Steven also rides for Israel.[6][8] His Polish-born Jewish grandfather on his father's side, a Holocaust survivor whose entire family was murdered, was in the Auschwitz concentration camp for three years and emigrated to Colombia after he was liberated.[9][10][7][11][12] Bluman said: "My grandfather is a survivor of the Holocaust. We know what happened to him and his family. And we also know that the only reason this could never happen again is because we have the State of Israel. It’s that simple."[13] His father's family is from Poland and Holland.[10] His grandfather on his mother's side is Israeli, and his mother's family is from Israel and Hungary.[12][10]

Bluman attended Hebrew school growing up.[7][14] As a young child he had panic attacks, which he overcame in time.[15] When he was ten years old, he moved with his family to Weston in South Florida in the United States.[14][9]

He is an alumnus of Cypress Bay High School in Weston. Bluman later earned an associate degree in business from Florida Atlantic University, attending on a full scholarship.[16][17][14][18] [19]

Riding career

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Bluman riding Sancha LS

Bluman started riding horses at age three.[6] In 2004, he won the Gold Medal FEI Children World Championship at 16 years of age.[18] In 2007, Bluman moved to Wellington, Florida, where he started his professional riding career.[6] Bluman relocated to Belgium in 2013, where he trained with Nelson Pessoa for two years.[6]

Representing Colombia; 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics

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Bluman competed at three World Equestrian Games: the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, and the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen.[6] He also participated at regional games, including the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara (at which he finished 7th) and the 2015 Pan American Games.[14] He was a 2014 team gold medalist at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, a bronze medalist at the 2016 LGCT Grand Prix of Hamburg, and a bronze medalist at the 2016 LGCT Grand Prix of Chantilly.[6]

Representing Colombia, Bluman competed individually at two Summer Olympics: the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro riding Apardi.[6] His best Olympic result came in 2012 when he placed 20th individually.[7]

Representing Israel

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2016–20

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Bluman has been riding on behalf of Israel since late 2016, having been an Israeli citizen since long before then[when?].[7][20][21] He said

Through it all, the one thing that has always remained with me is ... what it means to be Jewish and to come from a family who has had to go through the Holocaust.... Israel is a country that accepts every person — it doesn't matter your sexual orientation, your race, your religion, your ideas.... I'm very proud and emotional when I think about representing the Israeli flag.[11]

Bluman won the Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in 2017 on Ladriano Z, a Zangersheide gelding.[13][22]

In November 2018, Bluman won the $85,000 GroupBy “Big Ben” Challenge at the CSI4*-W Royal Horse Show in Toronto, Canada, riding Ladriano Z.[23] He was named the 2018 Rider of the Year by L'Annee Hippique.[3][20] In May 2019, Bluman won the Rolex Grand Prix at CSIO Rome di Siena.[24]

In July 2019, Bluman, Ashlee Bond, Danielle G. Waldman, and Elad Yaniv won the Olympic Jumping Qualifier at Maxima Park in Moscow, Russia, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, the first time that Israel had earned a place in the Olympics in equestrian.[25][26] However, due to a technicality regarding the registration of his horse Gemma W, Bluman was deemed ineligible to compete just weeks prior to the start of the competition.[27]

He did not ride competitively in 2020, during the Covid pandemic.[3]

2021–22; World #11 and Tokyo Olympics registration snafu

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In June 2021, Bluman won the $213,300 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix CSI4* in Traverse City, Michigan, riding Cachemire de Braize.[8][28]

Bluman was about to compete for Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021 in individual jumping and team jumping, but a technical mistake in his horse’s documentation prevented him from traveling to Japan to compete.[9][29] While he qualified to compete, he was told that he could not compete because his horse Gemma was mistakenly listed as American, rather than Israeli. This was even though Bluman, her sole owner, had never been American, and the horse had no sporting links to the US.[30][31] He requested assistance from the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) to correct the error, but his request was denied.[30]

In August 2021, Bluman won the $217,000 Cabana Coast Grand Prix CSI 5* in Toronto, Canada, riding Ubiluc.[32] In September 2021 he won the $300,000 45th Hampton Classic Grand Prix in Bridgehampton, N.Y., riding Gemma W.[33][34] In October 2021 he won the ArenaMend Classic in the CSI5* $175,000 1.50 Qualifier, riding Gemma W, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.[35]

Bluman's highest world ranking was #11 in 2021.[3] In November 2022 he won the $215,900 CSI4* World Cup of Lexington riding Ladriano Z.[36]

2023; third Hampton Classic victory

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In March 2023, Bluman won the $425,000 CSI5* Wellington Equestrian Realty CSI5* Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida, riding Ladriano Z.[36][37] Bluman won the 2023 $226,000 Kentucky Invitational CSI 3* Grand Prix championship in April, riding Gemma W.[38][13] In May 2023, he won the $38,700 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase riding Cachemire De Braize.[39] In June 2023 he won the $215,900 FEI Jumping World Cup Lexington riding Ladriano Z.[22]

In July 2023 Bluman and his Israeli teammates won the Group C Designated Olympic Qualifier at the CSIO4* CET Prague Cup.[40] The win qualified Team Israel for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[40]

In September 2023, Bluman won the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix with Ladriano Z, winning $140,250 in prize money.[41] It was Bluman’s third Hampton Classic Grand Prix win.[42] He is one of only four riders to win the Hampton Classic Grand Prix three times.[42] Later that year, Bluman won the $300,000 FEI Saugerties 4* Grand Prix.[43][5] He then went on to win the $76,000 Major League Show Jumping CND Grand Prix 1.45 m, American Gold Cup with Cachemire de Braize in Traverse City, Michigan.[8]

In November 2023, he and Gemma W won the $250,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Toronto, Canada.[44][45][46] With the victory, Bluman moved to the top of the North American League standings.[46][47] Since 2018, Bluman and Gemma had won over one million euro in prize money and had 28 podium finishes.[48]

In 2023, Bluman also won, with Ladriano Z the $425,000 CSI5* Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, Winter Equestrian Festival 9; and the Nations Cup to help Israel qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics; with With GEMMA W the $75,900 CND MLSJ IND Competition, American Gold Cup; the $300,000 FEI CSI4* Grand Prix, HITS on the Hudson VIII; and the $146,000 CSI 5* Adequate WEF Challenge Round 12, Winter Equestrian Festival 12; with Cachemire de Braize the $30,000 Grand Prix of Princeton, Princeton Summer Welcome; the $38,700 1.45 m, Old Salem Farm May II; the $77,300 FEI 1.45 m Grand Prix, TerraNova Hunter Jumper 1; and the $38,700 1.45 m Welcome, Split Rock Sarasota; and with Lady Applaus the $200 7 Year old Jumper, HITS on the Hudson VIII.[5]

Bluman had a career-high 14 wins in 2023.[3]

2024–present; 2024 Paris Olympics

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In February 2024, Bluman won the $32,000 FEI 1.45m Welcome Speed in Florida riding Gemma W.[49] In March 2024 he won the $32,000 Galati Yacht Sales FEI 1.45m Welcome Speed at TerraNova Winter Series Week III riding Cachemire de Braize.[49]

His world ranking in July 2024 was #13.[3]

Bluman represented Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Palace of Versailles, riding Ladriano Z.[50][51] He said: "I love Israel and what it stands for. It is a great honor for me to carry the Israeli flag wherever possible and to display it proudly and with commitment.”[51]

In team jumping, he completed a perfect round with zero points during the team qualifier, leading the team to the finals, where it came in 9th. In individual jumping, he had to end his competition early after Ladriano refused to jump over one of the obstacles.[52][53]

Personal life

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In 2016, Bluman married Ariel Epstein, an amateur rider who also represents Israel in competition.[13] The two have two sons, Avi and Eli.[7][3] In addition to riding, Bluman runs Bluman Equestrian, alongside his cousins and brother in North Salem, New York, and Wellington, Florida.[13]

Equine therapy project; Hamas attack

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Bluman has an equine therapy project in Israel that he operates in conjunction with Kibbutz Urim.[54]

In the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, the project in Israel was attacked. Bluman said:

This touches very close to home... I am both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine, because I am pro-life, pro-human rights, and unfortunately right now the only way to get to that is by eradicating Hamas and terrorists groups that are fighting religious wars.[13]

Erez Kalderon from Kibbutz Nir Oz, a student in the equine therapy program, was kidnapped by Hamas when the boy was 11 years old, and is held hostage.[54] In December 2023, for the first time since the attack on the program, the program was able to work with children.[55]

Notes

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  1. ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Bluman and the second or maternal family name is Doron.

References

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  1. ^ "Daniel Bluman Doron". El Espectador.
  2. ^ "BLUMAN Daniel". Olympics.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Daniel Bluman," FEI.
  4. ^ "Daniel Bluman Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Daniel Bluman: How the Olympian Is Teaching the Next Generation While Thriving in the Show Ring," The Plaid Horse, December 4, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Daniel Bluman - Longines Global Champions Tour". Globalchampionstour.com. 15 March 1990. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Erin Gilmore (22 December 2016). "Olympic Veteran Daniel Bluman Switches Flags to Ride for Israel". NOËLLE FLOYD.
  8. ^ a b c "Steven Bluman & Cachemire de Braize Blaze to First in the $62,480 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI 2*," Jumper News, June 22, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Mike May (February 1, 2023). "Living The Horse Life," Wellington Magazine.
  10. ^ a b c Yitzi Weiner (1 May 2018). "'Dream Big, Make A Plan And Work Tirelessly Until You Make It Happen' Words of Wisdom with Daniel Bluman". Thrive Global. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  11. ^ a b Kathryn McMackin (6 September 2018). "Daniel Bluman: The Olympic Rider Jumps From Colombia to Israel". Sidelines Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Daniel Bluman's best year yet". World of Showjumping. 18 September 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Mollie Bailey (November 16, 2023). "Ringside Chat: Daniel Bluman Talks Big Wins, Young Horses And Life As An Israeli," The Chronicle of the Horse.
  14. ^ a b c d Iliff, Elizabeth (4 November 2016). "Daniel Bluman: Aiming High - Expert how-to for English Riders". Practical Horseman. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  15. ^ Daniel Bluman (March 10, 2021). "Daniel Bluman: My Journey with Anxiety and Panic Attacks," NOËLLE FLOYD.
  16. ^ Sharon Robb (10 March 2018). "Olympic show jumper Daniel Bluman carries Israel's hopes". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  17. ^ Robb, Sharon (13 February 2019). "Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup returns to Wellington for first time in five years". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  18. ^ a b Christie Gold (26 October 2009). "David Bluman; Grand prix jumping's rising star". Florida Sport Horse Magazine. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  19. ^ "Daniel Bluman," Olympedia.
  20. ^ a b "Daniel Bluman". The Hampton Classic. 15 March 1990. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  21. ^ "2-on-1 with Daniel Bluman," Outside Rein, September 26, 2018.
  22. ^ a b Julia Murphy (June 5, 2023). "Daniel Bluman Buckles Down for FEI World Cup Lexington Win; Israel's Daniel Bluman piloted Ladriano Z to victory in the $215,900 FEI Jumping World Cup Lexington at the National Horse Show.", Practical Horseman.
  23. ^ "Daniel Bluman Wins for Israel at Royal Horse Show," Jump Media, November 8, 2018.
  24. ^ "Israel's first ever victory in Rome thanks to Daniel Bluman - Equestrian". Eurosport Asia. 28 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  25. ^ Parkes, Louise (1 July 2019). "History is made as Israel pips Poland in mighty battle for Tokyo 2020 ticket in Moscow". FEI. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  26. ^ "Tokyo 2020 team and individual quota places confirmed by FEI". FEI. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  27. ^ "No Olympic Games for Israel's Daniel Bluman". World of Showjumping. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  28. ^ Nina Fedrizzi (May 2023). "Bluman Wins a Speed-Horse Showdown at Old Salem," Horse Network.
  29. ^ Nancy Jaffer (August 3, 2021). "Live blogging the first Olympic show jumping competition," nancyjaffer.com.
  30. ^ a b Gabrielle Abrams (July 20, 2021). "A little horseplay for Israeli riders ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics; The team qualified for the Olympics in July 2019 with a win at the Olympic Jumping Qualifier at Maxima Park in Moscow," The Jerusalem Post.
  31. ^ Becky Murray (6 July 2021). "Top showjumper misses out on Tokyo after horse registration dispute *H&H Plus*," Horse and Hound.
  32. ^ "Daniel Bluman & Ubiluc Dash for the Cash in $217,000 CabanaCoast Grand Prix CSI 5*," Jumper News, August 22, 2021.
  33. ^ Jack Graves (September 9, 2021). "Grand Prix Titlist ‘Took Every Risk’" The East Hampton Star.
  34. ^ Stephen Watson (November 21, 2021). "Longines Sponsors The 45th Hampton Classic Horse Show," watchesintl.com.
  35. ^ Maria Falgione (October 31, 2021). "Rider Highlights and Updates," synnutraequine.
  36. ^ a b "Ladrano Z triumphs in the CSI5* GP of Wellington!," Zangersheide, 14 March 2023.
  37. ^ Marina Callahan (March 14, 2023). "Saturdays Are for the Majors," Horse Network.
  38. ^ "Star-Studded Lineup for Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix," Horse Sport, April 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Bluman Tops the Field in $38,700 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase at 2023 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows", Equnews, May 19, 2023.
  40. ^ a b Catie Staszak (July 28, 2023). "Israel and Poland bound for Paris following thrilling Group C Olympic Qualifier," Horses Daily.
  41. ^ Jack Graves (September 7, 2023). "Only Two Made Hampton Classic’s Jump-Off," The East Hampton Star.
  42. ^ a b DeAnn Sloan (September 6, 2023). "Daniel Bluman Wins 3rd Hampton Classic Grand Prix 5* Championship Presented by Longines," Horse Nation.
  43. ^ Nancy Jaffer (September 11, 2023). "Daniel Bluman HITS the mark in $300,000 grand prix," nancyjaffer.com
  44. ^ "A Bluman victory in Toronto! | Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 23," FEI (video)
  45. ^ "The Royal Horse Show," Equestrian Living.
  46. ^ a b Catie Staszak (November 12, 2023). "Daniel Bluman Gives Gemma W A Well-Deserved Win in Toronto, Canada At The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023-2024," Horse Daily.
  47. ^ Catie Staszak (March 18, 2024). "Incredible! Daniel Coyle Wins Live Oak World Cup," Horse Sport.
  48. ^ Carley Sparks (November 12, 2023). "Daniel Bluman & Gemma End Bridesmaid Streak in Toronto," Horse Network.
  49. ^ a b "Gemma W and Daniel Bluman Victorious in the $32,000 FEI 1.45m Welcome Speed, Presented by Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty," The Plaid Horse, February 26, 2024.
  50. ^ "Paris 2024-bound Daniel Bluman & Ladriano Z #HorseSpotlight," Major League Show Jumping (video)
  51. ^ a b "Olympics: Ashlee Bond, Daniel Bluman, Robin Muhr and Isabella Russekoff in Israeli Jumping team," Equnews, June 26, (2024).
  52. ^ "Israeli equestrian athletes fail to qualify for individual jumping final at Olympics," The Times of Israel.
  53. ^ Amy Spiro (August 1, 2024). "Israel’s equestrian team finishes 9th overall in team jumping qualification, advancing to final," The Times of Israel.
  54. ^ a b Daniel Bluman. "Erez Kalderon from Kibbutz Nir Oz is a student in Equine Therapy program we cooperate with in Kibbutz Urim. He was kidnapped by Hamas and is celebrating his 12 birthday today. We pray for him and his loved ones," Instagram.
  55. ^ "Today, for the first time since the terrorist attack, our equine therapy team was able to work with children," Instagram.
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