Sharn Wordley & Mick Jagger Jump to the Top in the $30,000 WCRA Grand Prix

By Jumper News on 4 04America/Sao_Paulo October 04America/Sao_Paulo 2023

Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – September 30, 2023 – Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home saw yet another thrilling night of show jumping featuring the $30,000 WCRA Grand Prix. Twenty-six competitors competed under the lights of Tryon Stadium, with Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Mick Jagger being crowned the champions. Wordley rode the 2008 gelding to victory in an effortless 38.68-second jump off performance.

Placing second with a time of 39.60 was John Angus (Mooresboro, NC) aboard Fou de Vous (Norman Pre Noir x Ma P’tite Lulu), the 2015 Selle Français gelding owned by Sigma Stables LLC.

**Lauren Balcomb** (AUS) & **Verdini d’Houtveld Z**

Rounding out the podium to take third place was Lauren Balcomb (AUS) and Verdini D’houtveld Z, her own 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding, marking a jump off time of 39.44 seconds.

Wordley and Mick Jagger (Chacco Blue x Acentora) are a relatively new team, but have had their fair share of triumphs in their time together. “He’s a great horse,” Wordley said of the Hanoverian gelding owned by Della Wordley.

“I bought him from Santiago Lambre a year and a half ago. It took me a little bit to build a partnership with this horse, but this year, he’s been first or second in nearly every Grand Prix that I’ve taken him in.”

Four horse and rider teams returned to the Nick Granat-designed jump off course, with John Angus holding the fastest time until Wordley’s final round with Mick Jagger. “[John] was quick enough!” Wordley remarked of his competitor’s jump off time. “I was lucky that I was the last to go so I could see what he did [in the jump off]. I just had to keep the rails up and go a little bit faster, which we were lucky enough to do.”

Wordley and his team are looking forward to continued success in the Tryon Fall series. “I love it here,” he shared. “It’s like a second home for us!”