Ocala, FL – The $75,000 R+L Carriers Grand Prix was the highlight of the penultimate week of the 2024 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Thirteen countries were represented in the field of 34 horse-and-rider combinations, but it was New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley who emerged victorious aboard Della Wordley’s Hagelin (Stolzenberg x Graefin Top) after a thrilling 14-horse jump-off.
FEI Level III course designer Catsy Cruz (MEX) set the challenging tracks for Saturday night’s class. With all horses jumping in top form, the competition led to a nail-biting jump-off.
Sharn Wordley piloted all four of his mounts to the jump-off, ultimately securing the fastest time with Hagelin. His first ride aboard Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z was strong, but Wordley remarked, “I misjudged the double; I thought the eight was going to be longer so I waited and did nine, which took some time, but he still jumped amazing.”
After assessing his first ride, Wordley knew what adjustments to make with his 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding Hagelin, who was fresh off a win in Thursday’s Welcome Prix. “That’s probably the fastest I’ve gone with Hagelin. We were fast right from the beginning. I did seven from one to two and that angle on two surprised him a little bit and he jumped up pretty high. But, he handled it right, which was fantastic. There wasn’t a number to jump three, but it was a tricky angle, but again he handled it well. Then we stayed quick and coming home to the last, we did one less than Tracy [Fenney] and that’s where I think we had it.”
The pair flew through the timers, stopping the clock at a mere 39.152 seconds, a time no other competitor could beat.
“He’s such a good horse, and such a pleasure to ride. I think I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that he was due for a win, and he delivered.”
Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Farm’s 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie) were close behind, stopping the clock just six-hundredths of a second slower at 39.217 seconds.
Dorothy Douglas (USA) claimed third place aboard Davenport Farms’ 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina) with a quick and clear jump-off time of 41.189 seconds.
Wordley also secured fourth place with Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z, fifth with Conto Blanco 4, and ninth with Valentine Car.
Kimberley Bird (NZL) received the fastest four-faulter award aboard her own Cera Cassina, with a swift first-round time of 71.510 seconds and one rail down. Hadden Frost (GBR) received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
Results: $75,000 R+L Carriers Grand Prix
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Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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