Sharn Wordley Secures Second Consecutive Double Victory in $50,000 The Dutta Corp. National Grand Prix

*^{Sharn Wordley and Valentine Car jumping to first in the $50,000 The Dutta Corp. National Grand Prix. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Ocala, FL – The $50,000 The Dutta Corp. National Grand Prix headlined Sunday morning’s competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) during Week VI of the 2025 Summer Series, which runs through August 10. A field of 29 horse-and-rider combinations contested the class, but it was Sharn Wordley (NZL) who continued his winning streak, securing both first and second place for the second consecutive week, this time with the horses trading positions. Valentine Car (Son of Juan Car x Sofia Car) claimed the win, while Mick Jagger (Chacco-Blue x Centina 10) settled for second.

*^{Sharn Wordley and Valentine Car. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Renowned course designer Anderson Lima (MEX) once again laid a challenging track, testing the field with a technical design. Nine combinations managed to navigate the first round fault-free to advance to the jump-off, with five riders delivering double-clear performances.

Olympian Lauren Hough (USA) was the first to return for the jump-off aboard her own Clarisall Junior. The pair set the standard with a fast and tidy round in 40.347 seconds.

Sharn Wordley followed with his first mount, Valentine Car, and wasted no time aiming for another top finish. “I actually did one extra step in the first two lines, but made it up on the second part of the course. He was able to just flat out gallop,” Wordley explained. “He’s not just quick—his foot speed is like a rabbit’s. He skims across the jumps and shifts, which makes him even quicker.” Their round in 38.454 seconds would ultimately prove unbeatable.

*^{Todd Minikus and Gardenia flying to third place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Todd Minikus (USA) made a strong bid with Gardenia (Grey Top x Frostlyn), an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Stephen Macken. The pair, winners of Thursday’s Welcome Prix, delivered a blazing round in 39.758 seconds to temporarily move into second.

*^{Sharn Wordley and Mick Jagger soaring to second place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

But Wordley wasn’t finished. Returning with last week’s Grand Prix winner Mick Jagger, the veteran rider executed another smart, efficient trip. “I still added down the first line, but did all the other leave-outs. Todd added to the second-to-last jump, so that was my chance. I left out there and came fast home,” he shared. Wordley’s strategy paid off as he edged into second place with a time of 39.564 seconds, pushing Minikus and Gardenia into third.

Reflecting on the class, Wordley praised the series: “I think it’s fantastic to have a National 1.45m Grand Prix on a Sunday as a class for horses that don’t do the FEI Grand Prix. It really makes the circuit.”