CONYERS, GA.—November 19, 2007—The hardy laugh of New Zealand-born Sharn Wordley rang out across the Olympic arena just as the final horse broke the timers, stopping the clock a mere 1.6 seconds slow enough to officially give Sharn the win in this afternoon’s series finale $25,000 National Hunter Jumper League (NHJL) Grand Prix sponsored by EMO Insurance.
Wordley, currently based out of Ocala, FL, could start his story with “a funny thing happened to me while on holiday.” He came to the U.S. for a visit, and 4 years later found he had accumulated 37 Grand Prix victories. This past June Wordly took another “holiday” to Germany. This time he qualified for the New Zealand Olympic team. “I’m hoping to take Rockville, the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that I co-own with Nashville, TN resident Rhonda Gobel,” said Wordly. Rockville “has been on holiday for the past 6 weeks after placing 3rd at Culpepper, so he’s just doing a little training today. He’s going to do the World Cup in 3 weeks in Palm Beach.”
And while his Olympic hopes may lie with Rockville, today was all about Epson Pierreville. The coming 16-year-old Selle Francis gelding owned by Wordley for nearly 2 years entered the ring 14th in the order, “it was a tough, tough course,” Wordly said of designer Michel Vaillancourt’s 13-obstacle layout. At this point only one rider had succeeded in beating the course with a clean round: Sergio Campos, of Longwood, FL, aboard “Queen of Speed” Shakira do Jacare posted a blazing time of 75.94 seconds, far below the 83 second allowance. Epson rose to the challenge of both course and time with an equally fast run of 77.27. “He’s just an out and out jumper. He tries to keep everything up!” Wordly began about Epson’s first round, “So I just try to steer him in the right direction and hang on,” he added with a big laugh. Explaining that with Epson he would normally add strides but with the oxer to oxer (fence 5 to 6) being “a really long 5 stride…maybe 6,” today he elected to just gallop up the space in 5 strides flat.
While Thursday’s $25,000 Welcome was deemed a “thinking” course, today Vaillancourt put far more emphasis on the technical abilities of competitors. The first round began with 30, most of which faired well until heading into the final line: fence 11, a tall vertical with barely 5 strides into the triple combination 12ABC of oxer-vertical wall-oxer out with tight-short strides between the B and C elements then another “steady 7” to the #13 vertical to cross the timers. The B element of the combo ended many a rider’s hopes for advancement to the jump-off round. “He just so careful, so very careful.” Wordly said of Epson’s approach to that last segment of round one.
Only 3 others would join Wordley and Campos in the deciding round of 7 obstacles (8 efforts). Vaillancourt switched into high gear for this finale round making it a test based on speed and agility. Forty-five seconds maximum to conquer tight turns and heights cleanly. Campos and Shakira were first to take flight, the mare showed how she earned the nickname “Queen of Speed” with a heart-stopping clock-stopping time of 36.305 but an unfortunate 8 faults. Next in were Wordly and Epson, “turning back from the oxer [#9 fence] you had to judge then, because you know some crazy bugger’s going to turn sharp [to shave time over vertical #16],” the excited New Zealander said of his run. “My horse slipped and I had to dare adding that extra stride.” A dare that paid off with the first clear jump-off ride in 36.704 seconds and three riders remaining, including winner of the previous two weeks’ Grand Prix Daniel Geitner and Trading Places. “It was a tough one. A fast and furious jump off,”,the always-smiling Geitner said of the pair’s 8 fault finish. Then Belinda Bond with partner Sea Cove took to the course with a slightly different approach, a bit more caution in mind, which resulted in a “really good ride but one unlucky rail down,” she noted. Last to go was the JR/AO rider from Campos’s group, Melissa Rudershausen with partner Prins. Their carefulness and quick pace made for the only other clear ride.
Final results placed rider-owner Rudershausen and Prins in 2nd with a clear final time of 38.308. Owner Belinda Bond riding Sea Cove took 3rd with a 4-fault time of 41.468. Fourth went to Campos and Shakira do Jacre in a time of 36.305 with 8 faults, and completing the top five was Geitner with Trading Places, owned by Kyle Register in a final time of 36.937 and 8 faults.
Tomorrow Wordley heads back to Ocala to continue preparing for the World Cup, the Olympics, as well as his newest venture: “Wordley and Martin”. As if training for the Olympics, competing, and traveling the world in search of the next great ride weren’t enough, Wordly has gone into the “footing business” with partner Craig Martin. “We’re busy busy.” And that’s just how this Olympic bound rider likes it. “I love it all!”
Preceding this afternoon’s Prix was the long awaited announcement for the 2007 John Deers-USEF Member Perks award to the season’s most decorated Amateur Hunter horse. Taking home the John Deere gator this year was CR Galileo owned by Kim Howard, ridden by Missy Luczak, and trained by Robert Hunt of the Monroe, NC-based Hunters Lane Farm. The Classic Company’s Bob Bell had pitched the idea for rewarding the Adult group to United States Equestrian Federation and various committees in late 2005. Not only did USEF agree but John Deere took interest in the idea and generously offered a new Gator as the prize. Bell hopes to continue this award for 2008 and promises once the details are complete an announcement will be sent out.
Classic Company Year-End Awards were also presented during the Parade of Champions. “This has been one of the best years for seeing truly talented riders and we just want express our appreciation of them.” Classic president Bell commented. This year’s Champions are listed below and a heartfelt “Congratulations to all,” added Bell.
Adult Am 18-35- Plus Tax owner Kelsey Durrett
Adult Am 36-45- CR Galileo owner Kim Howard
Adult Am 46&Over- Colter Bay owner Carol Cookerly
Adult Jumper-Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay owner Emily Straw Colella
AO 18-35-What d I day owner Ann Garnett
AO 36& Over- Gershwin owner Kim Quinn
Chidrens Hunter 14& U- Meadow Hill Stables
Childrens Hunter 15-17- Helen Milner
Childrens Hunter Pony- Dreams Come True owner Brittany Davis
Childrens Jumper- Blew By You owner Kathryn Hogan
Green Conf Hunter-Gamaliel owner McNeel HJ Inc.
Green Working-Southern Style owner Alise Oken
JR AO Jumper High L7-Charco owner Mary Antonini
JR AO Jumper Low L6-CR Coriano owner May Walker
Large Green Pony-What a Bean owner Emma Roberts
Large Jr Hunter-Southern Style owner Alise Oken
Large Pony Hunter-Summerhill owner Emma Kennedy
Medium Pony Hunter-Just Peachy owner Katie Dawson
Pre Green Hunter 3 Foot-Stars go Blue owner Thomas Lamberti
Pre Green Hunter 3′3″-Aftermath owner Anna Runner
Pre Child Hunter-El Gaucho owner James Fisher
Regular Working-Remedy owner Margaret Edge
Short Stirrup-When In Rome owner Grace Howard
Small Jr Hunter-Alisette owner Alise Oken
Small Med Green Pony-Sassafras Creek owner Bibby Hill
Small Pony Hunter-Hi Lite owner Lucille Oken
For more information or results on the Fall Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the office at 843-768-5503. The Classic Company office will be closed for the Holidays from November 24th until December 15th. Emails regarding upcoming events can be addressed to [email protected] and/or [email protected] will be answered as often as possible during the Holiday time.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY, is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected] or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected].
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Photo: Sharn Wordley and Epson Pierreville ©Flashpoint Photography
Photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release
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