Week two of the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Show Series brought another round of high-caliber sport to Saugerties, New York, as the momentum continued to build across the ten-week circuit. With clear skies over the Catskill Mountains and world-class competition in full swing, the atmosphere was simply abuzz. On Saturday, May 30, the week’s spotlight event — the $75,000 Voltaire Grand Prix — culminated with a commanding win from Israel’s Steven Bluman aboard Concare PS as the only fault-free round of the class.
Twenty-six horse-and-rider combinations stepped into the Grand Prix Ring to take on the track designed by Mark McGowan of Nantwich, United Kingdom. The technical course tested competitors from start to finish, and with a demanding time allowed of 74 seconds, rails fell throughout, and time faults proved equally costly. While several combinations came agonizingly close to the elusive clear effort, only one pair managed to leave all the jumps intact and stay within the time allowed. It was Bluman and Concare PS that delivered the sole fault-free round of the day, stopping the clock in 71.847 seconds to secure victory without the need for a jump-off.
“It was a very strong field today, between good horses and good riders,” said Bluman. “When I walked the course, I thought there would be four or five clear rounds. In the end, there were a few that came close, but they all picked up time faults. This was definitely one of the most challenging tracks we’ve seen here in a while.”
As the 22nd rider to enter the arena, Bluman had the opportunity to watch the class unfold from the schooling area as competitors struggled to answer all the questions on course.
“One of my students went before me and had a great round, but came home with a time fault,” he explained. “When I went in, I told myself to keep the time in mind, but whatever happened, just keep cantering.”
The victory was particularly meaningful for Steven Bluman, who only recently partnered with Concare PS, the 12-year-old mare (Conthargos x Cornet Obolensky) owned in partnership between Over The Top Stables LLC, Steven Bluman’s uncle Israel Bluman, and Norma Leticia Coello Garrido. The flashy mare already boasts an impressive resume of five-star experience spanning Mexico, Europe, Canada, and the United States. She was previously ridden by top riders Matthew Sampson (GBR) and Nicolas Pizarro (MEX) and has most recently been campaigned by Steven Bluman’s cousin, Mark Bluman, for the past two years. Now with Steven Bluman having taken over the ride just four weeks ago, the pair are still getting to know one another but appear to already be off to a flying start.
“This is only our second show together,” said Steven Bluman. “I’m extremely happy, extremely proud, and very grateful to have the opportunity to ride such an amazing horse.”
Based just down the road in North Salem, New York, Steven Bluman and the team at Bluman Equestrian have long made HITS Hudson Valley a cornerstone of their summer schedule.
“I love it here; I come every year and stay as many weeks as I can,” he shared. “It’s only about an hour and twenty minutes from home, so I get to go home every night and give my kids a kiss goodnight. You can’t beat that. I also want to thank Voltaire for sponsoring this Grand Prix. Our sport wouldn’t be possible without incredible partners like Voltaire.”
Amateur rider Alexander Alston (USA) claimed the runner-up position as the fastest single-fault competitor aboard Spider, Alston Alliance LLC’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (VDL Cardento 933 x Luidam), crossing the timers just over the allotted time in 74.047 seconds. Amateur rider Taylor Landstrom (USA) rounded out the podium aboard her own Sparks 55, a 14-year-old Warmblood gelding (Otangelo x Contender), earning third place with a time of 74.606 seconds. The result also secured Landstrom the week’s Frank & Eileen Leading Lady Rider Award.
As the second installation of the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Show Series comes to a close, riders and spectators now look ahead to even more excitement as the Spring Series resumes on June 3. For a full list of results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
