Aaron Vale Makes the Trip to Toronto Worthwhile in the $40,000 McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News USA on November 13, 2026

Toronto, Canada – November 11, 2026 – Aaron Vale (USA) made the trip from Ocala, Florida to Toronto worthwhile right from the early start of the 2026 Royal Horse Show CSI 5*-W & CSI 2*. The American teamed up with Gray’s Inn for reserve honors in the $40,000 McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W.

Mark Bluman (ISR) and Phelina crossed the timers of Bernardo Costa Cabral‘s (POR) 1.45m speed track in an untouchable 45.50 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Gray’s Inn finished second (47.26 seconds), while Amy Millar (CAN) and Christiano rounded out the podium (48.44s).

Wednesday’s feature, the $40,000 McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W boasted a competitive field, with seven of the World’s top 30-ranked jumping athletes in the lineup.

Fresh off their win in the Canadian Show Jumping Championships, Amy Millar (CAN) and Christiano carried their momentum forward and laid down the first competitive standard of the competition, albeit with a slightly wider turn to Jump 5, a wide liverpool oxer.

The pair was overtaken when Vale and Gray’s Inn took their turn, shaving nearly 1.5 seconds off Millar’s time and increasing the pressure on the remainder of the field. But Bluman is far from risk-averse, and he entered the Coca-Cola Coliseum with a clear mind, focusing only on his plan. Taking an impressive turn back to the oxer-vertical combination at 3ab and boldly leaving out a stride to the oxer at 7, he and Phelina galloped through the timers nearly two seconds in front, never to be caught.

The Royal Horse Show, which runs Nov. 6-15, is part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. A nine-day showcase of equestrian sport, the show features a wide variety of disciplines, from international show jumping and dressage to national show hunters, indoor eventing, and an array of unique horse breeds, with the marquee event, the CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, set for Saturday, November 14.

Final Results – $40,000 McKee Family International Challenge CSI 5*-W

1) Mark Bluman (ISR) & Phelina de Septon – 0 / 0 – 45.50

2) Aaron Vale (USA) & Gray’s Inn – 0 / 0 – 47.26

3) Amy Millar (CAN) & Christiano – 0 / 0 – 48.44

FULL RESULTS

Source: Press Release (edited) from Catie Staszak Media for the Royal Horse Show – Royal Agricultural Winter Fair