Mark Bluman Clinches Idle Dice Jumper Stake as Amateur-Owner Hunters Wrap Up Competition
Mark Bluman takes a rainy jump in the Devon Horse Show’s $145,100 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography for AKSM Equestrian/AKSM Sports)
The eleventh day of the 2025 Devon Horse Show featured thrilling victories in both hunter and jumper divisions, highlighted by Mark Bluman’s first-ever Dixon Oval win in the $145,100 Idle Dice Jumper Stake and standout performances from top amateur-owner riders.
Article by Maddie Tyler, AKSM Sports
DEVON, Pa. — Devon Horse Show Day 11: Mark Bluman Clinches Idle Dice Jumper Stake as Amateur-Owner Hunters Wrap Up Competition
DEVON, Pa. — The penultimate day of the 129th Devon Horse Show and Country Fair delivered a thrilling finale to the hunter divisions and a high-octane evening of top-tier jumping competition in the Dixon Oval.
The marquee event of Saturday night, the $145,100 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake, capped off the FEI jumper schedule with a memorable win for Colombia’s Mark Bluman aboard Ubiluc, owned by Over The Top Stables LLC. Bluman and his longtime partner blazed through the jump-off in 34.2 seconds, capturing both the Idle Dice Stake title and the coveted John Wanamaker Perpetual Trophy.
“In all honesty, the plan was not to jump him today,” Bluman revealed. “After Thursday, I told him before the Grand Prix, ‘If you’re top three, you don’t jump on Saturday.’ We were ninth, so we took a shot… Winning here in the Dixon Oval was one of my dreams.”
Bluman’s victory also secured him the Orchard Lodge Perpetual Trophy as Devon’s Leading Open Jumper Rider.
Rounding out the jumper accolades, Aaron Vale and Charissimo 25 earned the Open Jumper Championship title and Little Big Man Challenge Trophy, while Kaitlin Campbell was named the Leading Lady Rider, taking home the Carol Hofmann Thompson Challenge Trophy.
Hunter Divisions Conclude With Emotional Wins
Saturday also marked the close of the hunter competition, highlighted by the crowning of both 3'3" and 3'6" Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions.
At the 3'6" level, veteran competitor Katie Robinson and MTM Plus One swept the Over 35 division, earning the Bond Street Perpetual Trophy as the Devon Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6″ Champion. Robinson also claimed the Gochman Challenge Trophy and the Thorndike Duncan Memorial Perpetual Trophy as the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider of the show.
“I thought I was going to be reserve,” said Robinson. “It’s really special. I can’t believe it.”
Other standout performances included:
Melissa Jacobs and Chaplin, champions of the 3’6″ 18–35 division and recipients of the James J. Fallon Memorial Challenge Trophy.
John Ingram and Pelé, winners of the Sambalino Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the horse that best exemplifies the classic hunter ideal.
At the 3’3″ height, Irene Neuwirth and her 6-year-old Holland Park made an unexpected impression. Initially 14th on the waitlist, the pair rose to the occasion to win both the Over 35 division and the Devon Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ Championship, earning the Jenepher McLean Kelly Challenge Trophy.
The 18–35 division champion at 3’3″ was Brittany M. Warden with Bordeaux, taking home the Louise W. Serio Challenge Trophy.
Traditional Breeds and Amateur Jumpers Shine Under the Lights
The final evening in the Dixon Oval also celebrated the Traditional Breed Champions and wrapped up amateur jumper competition.
Melissa Strawser and Darwin De Mars earned the Goblin Challenge Trophy as the Amateur Jumper Champions, while Strawser also secured the Marshall-Hale Perpetual Trophy as Leading Amateur Jumper.
The $20,000 SJHOF Amateur Jumper Classic was claimed by Madison E. Papariello aboard Abril Kontendra, receiving the Good Enough Challenge Trophy.
As the sun set on Saturday, it was clear that the 2025 Devon Horse Show had delivered a mix of seasoned champions and fresh faces, all united by excellence and tradition in one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Competition returns to the Devon showgrounds on September 11th for the Fall Classic which runs through September 14th as well as Dressage at Devon from September 23rd to September 28th. Tickets are still available for the show’s 129th run - which ends tomorrow - Sunday, June 1st - at devonhorseshow.net.