Wellington, Fla. – January 29, 2026—Colombia’s Mark Bluman and Landon de Nyze were picture-perfect to win the $116,100 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 on the grass derby field on Thursday during Week 4 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 in Wellington, FL.

(Photo:  Mark Bluman and Landon win WEF Challenge Cup 2026.©Sportfot)

In six international starts together over two competitions, Bluman and Landon have won twice. This time, the victory came over Anderson Lima’s (BRA) two-round grand prix qualifier, where the top 12 pairs returned with their faults carrying over to the jump-off.

He’s Careful

“I’m very thankful for him—I’ve never ridden a horse of such caliber; he’s careful, tries hard, and we were well-suited from the first moment,” said Bluman of Landon, a horse previously ridden by his cousin Daniel Bluman and World No. 1 Kent Farrington before that. With Farrington, Landon won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal for the USA at the 2023 Pan American Games.

We Trust Each Other

“We all knew in the family when Daniel purchased the horse, it was one that could suit me, and I took over the ride in November,” continued Mark of the Zangersheide gelding owned together with Over The Top Stables. “We haven’t had that much time together, but we trust each other, and he fights for me. I think that’s the biggest thing with a horse like this one; get him on your side, so whenever you need him, he can fight for you.”

Fought Hard

Landon—a 13-year-old son of Comilfo Plus Z and Quadrillo—fought hard on Thursday, carrying Mark to a winning time of 50.15 seconds on zero faults. Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard was the only other double-clear finisher of the day, riding Dior owned by Ilan Ferder. She and the 12-year-old Swedish-bred mare (Diamantino x VDL Al Cantino) finished in 50.59 seconds.

When asked about his preparation for this week, Mark said he spoke to Farrington earlier in the week, who told him that Landon loves to get out on the derby field at Wellington International.

Not To Ride Him Slowly

“I speak with him all the time and send him videos every time I show [Landon],” said Mark of his communication with the horse’s previous rider. “He told me not to ride him so slowly, which would make it easier for him. Today, I was trying to do that.”

Landon will compete in Saturday’s MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix before Mark makes plans to take aim at the upcoming five-stars at WEF.

 

For complete results from the $116,100 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 4, click HERE.

Competition continues during WEF 4—sponsored by MARS Equestrian—with the return of the Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, during Saturday Night Lights at 7 p.m. ET on January 31. The $215,000 MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix takes center stage on the derby field during the day on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

Full results from WEF 4 are available HERE.