Sharn Wordley closes out the 2024 Summer Series with a victory in the UF Health Grand Prix
Sharn Wordley and Valentine Car winning the $75,000 UF Health Grand Prix. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Ocala, FL – The 2024 Summer Series came to a spectacular close with an exhilarating final showdown, as 32 elite horse-and-rider pairs from nine nations competed for victory in the highly anticipated $75,000 UF Health Grand Prix. The event reached its climax with a thrilling 12-horse jump-off, where the podium mirrored the results of the previous week, but this time it was New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley who emerged victorious aboard Valentine Car, owned by Fernando Cardenas.
The course, designed by FEI Level II course designer Eric Hasbrouck, challenged the competitors’ skills, with only six pairs managing to complete double clear rounds. The jump-off was intense from the start, with each rider pushing to beat the previous time. However, when Sharn Wordley entered the ring on his lightning-fast 15-year-old American Warmblood gelding Valentine Car, the atmosphere became electric.
“When you have Tracy Fenney going last in the jump-off, you have to go all out if you want to win,” Wordley remarked. “From one to two, I tried to be as fast as possible, even though that blind corner was tricky, but the six strides worked out nicely for us. Then a long gallop to the oxer, followed by the seven, slowing down for the double, and nine strides to the corner with most taking a steady six to the finish. I knew Tracy would do eight to five, but I couldn’t do that with Val, so I tried to be fast everywhere else.”
With an unbeatable time of 33.265 seconds, Wordley claimed the victory and the lion’s share of the prize money.
“All the horses have been fantastic. Valentine Car has jumped clear in nearly every grand prix this season, except for one where he had the fastest four-fault round. It’s been a great circuit,” Wordley added. “Now, the horses will get a well-deserved break before gearing up for the fall shows and the winter circuit here.”
Tracy Fenney (USA) came incredibly close to victory, finishing in second place aboard MTM Apple, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, with a time of 33.320 seconds, just under a tenth of a second slower than Wordley. Dorothy Douglas (USA) rounded out the podium with another impressive performance, guiding MTM Pablo, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, to third place with a time of 34.032 seconds.
Sharn Wordley also took home the fastest four-faulter award aboard Champion League, thanks to a quick first-round time of 78.350 seconds with just one rail down.
Lastly, the “Luck of the Draw” award went to Alexandra Green Kerby, recognizing her efforts in the competition.
Podium of the $75,000 UF Health Grand Prix:
- Sharn Wordley – Valentine Car (33.265 seconds)
- Tracy Fenney – MTM Apple (33.320 seconds)
- Dorothy Douglas – MTM Pablo (34.032 seconds)
The 2024 Summer Series concludes with a thrilling finish, setting the stage for an exciting fall and winter show circuit.
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