Canada’s Harold Chopping is 11th aboard Fantom
Sharn Wordley (NZL) and his own Gatsby raced to a 36.033-second win in the $72,000 Nutrena® Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Adam Prudent (USA) and Romeo de Villaret, the 2005 Selle Francais stallion (Mr. Blue (NL) x If de Merze) owned by Plain Bay Sales, claimed second-place honors, halting the jump-off timers with a time of 36.242 seconds. Abigail McArdle (USA) and Victorio 5, a 2006 Hanoverian stallion (Uccello x Graf Top) owned by Victorio Equine Group LLC, rounded out the podium with their 36.609-second performance in the short course.
Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) had 42 pairs challenge his first-round course, with seven returning to compete in the jump-off. “He [Cabral] did a really good job,” emphasized Wordley. “He made the course tricky enough that it was hard to jump. I think the height was perfect, and the time was just right that you had to go quick enough, which caused some problems, but without making it too difficult for people. So, I think he nailed it. He did such a good course.”
Wordley piloted two horses through the first-round track, and explained that tonight was Gatsby’s time to shine. “My second horse, [Any], didn’t have a very good warm-up, so it just wasn’t her night, but Gatsby was awesome.”
Though it was Gatsby’s night, it wasn’t a jump-off designed for the 2004 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Simba x Cruise On), Wordley admitted: “In the jump-off, my strategy actually didn’t go to plan. Gatsby doesn’t turn so well to the right, and there were two tight turns to the right in the jump-off,” he explained. “I actually wanted to do two less strides from [fences] two to three, and two less strides [in the other turn], but I just wanted to go fast enough to put pressure on the others.
“That way,” Wordley continued, “if they wanted to beat me, they needed to do something that could cause a rail, which is what happened. I think the only one who was faster had two [rails] down trying to beat my time, so it worked out.”
Though both Wordley and Gatsby have found great success at TIEC, Wordley is hoping that this win carries him forward to his next venture. “Gatsby will have next week and the week after off, then he’ll probably do the two star in Angelstone, which he won last year.”
“I like winning… it’s good!” Wordley concluded. “Gatsby likes winning; he loves it. And it’s always good to beat Santiago Lambre,” he added of his competitor who piloted two rides in the jump-off. “Even if it’s in the 1.30m, I like to beat him, because that guy is fast!”
$72,000 Nutrena® Grand Prix CSI 2* Results:
1.Gatsby, 2004 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Simba x Cruise On)
Sharn Wordley (NZL), Sharn Wordley: 0/0/36.033
2. Romeo de Villaret, 2005 Selle Francais stallion (Mr. Blue (NL) x If de Merze)
Adam Prudent (USA), Plain Bay Sales: 0/0/36.242
3. Victorio 5, 2006 Hanoverian stallion (Uccello x Graf Top)
Abigail Mcardle, Victorio Equine Group LLC: 0/0/36.609
4. Baloutinue, 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Balou Du Rouet x Landor S)
Adam Prudent (USA), Plain Bay Farm: 0/0/44.436
5. Dingeman, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels)
Santiago Lambre (MEX), Aurora Rangel De Alba: 0/4/36.907
6. La Belle SCF, 2011 Begian Warmblood mare (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Baldini)
David O’Brien (IRL), Spy Coast Farm, LLC: 0/4/43.24
7. Ibabco, 2008 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Nabab de Reve x Darco)
Santiago Lambre (MEX), Santiago Lambre & Stephex Stables: 0/8/34.686
8. Falcon de Hus Z, 2009 Zangersheide gelding (Florian de la Vie*Bazooka x Adlantus AS)
Scott Keach (AUS), Five Henry Stables: 1/77.16
9.Verlano, 2010 Mecklenburg Warmblood gelding (Verdi TN x Chellano)
Juan Ortiz (VEN), Stransky’s Mission Farms, Inc.: 1/77.18
10. Bink-A, 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Contact V/D Heffinck x Lys De Darmen)
Caitlyn Connors (USA), Caitlyn Connors LLC: 1/77.9
11.Fantom, 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cardento 933 x O. Wellie I)
Harold Chopping (CAN), Andrew Philbrick: 1/78.12
12. Diabolo la Quadra, 2009 Holsteiner male (Diarado x Unknown)
Roberto Teran Tafur (COL), Alonso Valdez Prado: 1/78.98
For full results from $72,000 Nutrena® Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.
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