Colombian Daniel Bluman and his gelding seem fated for a rise to the top in this HITS finale.

Daniel Bluman is only 19 years old, but he already boasts a show jumping resume that would make many older riders green with envy.

Bluman doesn’t know much about the color green, however—he’s much more familiar with seeing blue. The young rider and his own Fatalis Fatum took the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix in Culpeper, Va., Sept. 27, besting a field of 29 horses and riders.

After Bluman jumped the last fence on the jump-off course clear, he galloped by the audience and pointed down at Fatalis Fatum with a huge grin on his face, eliciting cheers from the small but enthusiastic crowd.

Bluman had good reason to be pleased with the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding—he’d just completed a hat-trick, winning his third consecutive grand prix. Fatalis Fatum (For Pleasure—Estrella) also won the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at Saugerties (N.Y.) Aug. 30 and the $93,520 Swisscan World Cup qualifier at Halton Place (Canada) Sept. 6.

At the HITS Commonwealth Park facility, Bluman, Weston, Fla., was one of nine to finish clear after the first round of German designer Olaf Petersen’s Sr.’s tricky 13-jump course. While the triple and double combinations claimed several early competitors, Fatalis Fatum didn’t place a foot wrong in either the first round or the jump-off, even in the slightly soggy footing.

Both rounds were quick but smooth, with Bluman and his flashy chestnut making sharp turns and efficient jumping efforts. They were obviously a crowd favorite, adorned in burgundy gear, hamming it up a bit for the spectators. But after the awards presentation, he had nothing but humble thanks for his horse.

“He was just spectacular,” Bluman said. “I have no words.”

It was a victory that almost wasn’t. For a few tense seconds, it appeared top-ranked USGPL rider Tracy Magness would beat Bluman. Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude were the last pair to jump off and were clear near the end of the course with a time that appeared faster. Then John Bartko’s bay gelding barely clipped the top rail on the last fence with a hind hoof, leaving the blue ribbon for Bluman.

Bluman’s time of 32.14 seconds topped second-placed Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood and Bradon Construction’s Bottom Line with a clear round in 33.24 seconds.

He was especially pleased with his win against international-caliber riders such as Henselwood and Todd Minikus, whom he considers a mentor.

“I was just trying to do the best I could and put out a lot of effort to try to win,” Bluman said. “It was great to show against all of the people I’ve always thought were the best. There were just so many amazing riders here in this class.”

Bluman, originally from Colombia and sponsored by Café de Colombia coffee, purchased his horse from Argentinean rider Federico Sztyrle early in the year and spent several months getting to know him. The pair had a slightly rocky start, but slowly they’ve became a team, and it’s a team that’s become virtually unbeatable over the least few months.

“He’s a spectacular horse, but we had to learn to speak the same language,” Bluman said. “We would have good results, but then we would have some rails down. Starting in June, I really began to understand him in the ring and outside of the ring. Finally, we became best friends. He’s not the easiest horse, but we’ve been getting very attached, him and I, and he really tries for me and I try to give him the best care I can and make him happy.”

Fitness work is important to Bluman, and he said it’s been helping Fatalis Fatum become stronger in his back so he could more easily clear the big fences. Despite the gelding’s slightly advanced age, Bluman said he’s the soundest horse he’s owned, largely due to the horse’s natural intelligence and sense of self-preservation.

“He knows how to take care of himself,” Bluman said. “He’s very wise, and he doesn’t do more than what he needs to do. He doesn’t use more strength unless he needs it. He makes my job really simple.”

Bluman, who studies business through online courses at Florida Atlantic University, runs a small string. He currently owns Fatalis Fatum, a 4-year-old gelding and a mare he hopes to do speed classes with in 2010. Bluman’s trainer Pablo Barrios suggested he buy Fatalis Fatum earlier in the year, and it’s a decision Bluman definitely doesn’t regret.

“I didn’t have the financial or economic background to buy many horses, so I had to be very careful of how I picked,” Bluman said. “I picked that horse because I believed in what he had. I believed he had everything that you look for in a horse. He looked like he was careful and capable of jumping the big jumps, and he looked brave and strong. Knowing that he’s mine right now is just amazing because no one can take him from me.”

Bluman helps care for his three horses alongside groom Margo Molina at his barn in Florida. With the help of Molina and Bluman, the previously reserved Fatalis Fatum gradually came out of his shell.

“When I got him he was very distant,” Bluman said. “We would go in the corner of his stall, and he wouldn’t even notice you or pay attention to you. I’ve given him a lot of treats, and I play with him every time I see him and now he’s like a pet. There’s nothing he doesn’t do, and he’s super easy to handle. He goes out in the paddock and has a good time. My groom says he’s more like a human being.”

Bluman has big plans for the next year.

First, Fatalis Fatum will rest until the Florida winter circuit, and then Bluman will aim him for Spruce Meadows (Alta.) and the inaugural $1 million USGPL Grand Prix at Saugerties (N.Y.) next fall. If everything goes according to plan, his ultimate goal is to ride for Colombia in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.). He’s quick to mention, however, that no matter what happens in the future, Fatalis Fatum will always have a home in his barn.

“When I bought him I knew that when he retired he would stay with me. For sure he’s going to be a lucky, happy horse.”

The win sent Bluman back to Florida with a smile on his face and with a check for $30,000 that ought to help him accomplish his lofty dreams.

“It’s just the greatest finish you want,” he said. “When you have 16 hours to drive, you always like to have something to think about during all those hours so you don’t fall asleep. When you win, for sure you’re not going to fall asleep knowing your champion is right there in the back.”