Ocala, Florida, United States – International competition resumed Thursday morning at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) with the $32,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*. A field of 23 elite horse-and-rider combinations representing 12 nations took to the WEC Grand Arena, all vying for the top prize. Rising to the occasion was Sharn Wordley (NZL) aboard Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z (Bamako de Muze x Baloubet du Rouet), owned by Della Wordley.
FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN) crafted a technical track that asked the right questions, ultimately narrowing the field to a six-horse jump-off and producing only three double-clear efforts.
The jump-off was set in motion by Jad Dana (LBN) and Leonidas, a nine-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Burr Associates Inc. The pair laid down the first double-clear in a smooth 41.93 seconds, setting the tone and eventually landing in third place.
Sharn Wordley (NZL) was next to return, piloting the 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding Brin d’Or De Haute Melen Z. Confident in his mount’s form, Wordley took a strategic approach in hopes of securing the lead.
“I knew he was jumping great,” shared Wordley. “He didn’t feel like he wanted to touch anything. I wanted to make sure we went quick enough. Jad was a bit cautious because there were no clears. I wanted to go faster than him, and I went quite a bit faster because I knew his last horse was going to go quite quick. If I hadn’t gone that fast, he would have gotten us.”
Wordley and Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z took over first place with an unbeatable time of 38.78 seconds.
Dana returned as the final contender aboard his second mount, Diamant (Diamant De Semilly x Contender), also owned by Burr Associates Inc., and delivered a quick round to stop the clock in 39.93 seconds, sliding into second.
Speaking about the talented gelding, Wordley added, “He’s very, very careful. He had a good winter, and then he was out for a couple of months. I was just getting him back fit and did a few shows to get him going in the ring. Because of how careful he is, he needs a few rounds to get in the swing of things. So this week was my first week to really think about him being in the ‘sport.’ He felt ready, and he jumped great today—he was awesome.”
With momentum on his side, Wordley is set to return under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena on July 12 at 7:30pm for the $130,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix CSI 3*.
“[Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z is] going to jump the Grand Prix Saturday night, along with my other horse, Champion League. I’ll jump him again next week, then he’ll have a week off before we do the two and three stars.”
Final Results – $32,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*
1) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z – 0 / 0 – 38.78
2) Jad Dana (LBN) & Diamant – 0 / 0 – 39.93
3) Jad Dana (LBN) & Leonidas – 0 / 0 – 41.93
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
