Uma O’Neill rides Luigi d’Eclipse. File Photo © www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de/Stefan Lafrentz

It’s been a fabulous weekend for some of our top showjumpers, with Uma O’Neill in the winning Major League Showjumping team in California and Luke Dee placing in CSI4* in Austria.

California based Uma scored a superb win, as part of the victorious Maccabi United team to take out the $262,500 CSI5* Team Competition at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal (USA). Uma, alongside Mark and Daniel Bluman now lead the Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) competition. It was Uma’s first night jumping on Maccabi United. “We were able to put it all together and have a great game plan,” she said. “I had a great time tonight – the format is fun. I think it is fantastic to have Major League come out for these two weeks. It brings the level up in California and it is nice to have so many people from the east get to experience what the desert has to offer.”

The teams’ class was Uma’s focus for the week. “We built Luigi’s plan around peaking for the MLSJ team event,” she says. “Major League offers many great classes, but Luigi was my only horse in the five-star division, and I was selected as one of the team riders for Maccabi United. “Last night’s win was incredibly exciting. I feel very fortunate to have ridden alongside two exceptionally strong teammates, Daniel and Mark Bluman. It was my first time competing in the Major League team class and these events come with a lot of pressure—every score counts for the team.” She sees great value in how closely the MLSJ classes mirror the intensity of major championships with the team format, atmosphere and pressure to deliver for teammates. “It all provides invaluable experience as we look forward to bigger team events on the horizon.”

Uma and her stallion Luigi D’eclipse picked up four in the opener and were clear in the first jump-off round. Mark Bluman and Phelina de Septon were double clear while Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Hummer Z were clear in the opener and then put forward to the medal jump-off round for the team where he faced off against the Archers’ Nicola Philippaerts (BEL).

“I thought the best strategy was to put up a very strong time if for some reason I knocked one down, it was still going to be enough pressure that we had a chance to win.” He proved bang on the money after he and Hummer Z jumped their team to a win despite a rail on the ground. Nicola jumped clear aboard HSM Que Sera but couldn’t catch Daniel’s time in the faults converted format.

Maccabi United (185) lead the league by 15 points ahead of Trailblazers (170) and Helois (156). “Maccabi United has been a top team in the league, and this result helped move us back into the lead,” said Uma. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, proud of how our team performed and very happy with how Luigi rose to the occasion.”

Dee Luke rides Gangster WW. File Photo. © Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans

Luke Dee feels his horse Gangster WW just keeps getting better. “He is still only nine and it is about finding that consistency. To keep improving as he is, is very exciting. Hopefully we are building towards a good summer season and all things going well, the world champs,” he said.
The combo were second in the 48-strong 1.55m Amadeus Championat von Salzburg going double clear and crossing the flags in the second round in 43.31 seconds at the CSI4* in Austria. Winner Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Chalou’s Love PS came home in 42.79, with Roberto Turchetto (ITA) and Heidelberg third in 43.99. “I was very stoked,” says Luke.

They then placed 10th in the 40-strong 1.60m Amadeus Grand Prix of Salzburg. Robert Murphy (GBR) and Hulde G won the class, followed by Tamas Mraz (HUN) on Viva Cent in second and Ronnie Healy (RSA) with Cornet’s Mandarino in third. Just four progressed to the jump-off. Luke and Gangster had four in the middle of the treble in the opening round. “It was quite a tight arena and only a couple of strides off the wall to a big treble combo. I didn’t want to be backwards off the wall so just got a little too good a shot in and ran out of room at B.” The lightest of touches saw it come down.

“These were two very big classes – I am absolutely rapt with our efforts.” Gangster will now have the rest of the year off and Luke is hopeful they will get wild cards to 5* shows in Leipzig or Amsterdam in the new year. “Having a good show like this certainly helps (to get a wild card).”

CLICK HERE FOR THE RESULTS FROM AUSTRIA 
CLICK HERE FOR THE RESULTS FROM CALIFORNIA 

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
8th December 2025