Ocala, Florida, USA – July 20, 2024 The WEC Grand Arena once again played host to the week’s feature event, the $75,000 LeMieux Grand Prix. Twenty-five horse-and-rider combinations representing eight different nations vied for the top spot on the leaderboard, but it was Sharn Wordley (NZL) who galloped away with the winning title aboard Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Perle D’or De Saulieu), owned by Della Wordley.
FEI Level II course designer Tucker Williams set the tracks that allowed nine horse-and-rider combinations to qualify for the jump-off, with three of those spots taken by Sharn Wordley.
Wordley first returned aboard Conto Blanco 4 and set the pace at 40.356 seconds. Despite several attempts, others incurred faults along the way and failed to best his time.
Returning with his second mount, Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z, Wordley shared his strategy: “Tonight was the first night I ever really went pedal to the metal with him. From one to two, a lot of people were doing ten, but he has such a big step, I went for the nine. I was quick to the double and tried to keep rolling to the next few. I was proud of him at the green vertical because it was a very blind turn – two strides, and you were there. Before, that would have made him nervous, but he felt great. Going home, I planned the nine.”
With a time of 39.260 seconds, Wordley and the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding rose to the top of the leaderboard, ultimately taking home the lion’s share of the prize money.
Reflecting on his partnership with the talented gelding, Wordley said, “I got him as an eight-year-old, he’s 10 now, so I’ve been producing him over the last two years. I’ve been taking my time with him because he spends a lot of time in the air and has had to learn how to go fast because he’s just so careful. He has his own technique, but he’s getting more comfortable the more he goes. Tonight, he was great and I think he loved it. ”
Looking ahead, Wordley is already preparing for the winter circuit. “I am very excited for winter. The schedule here looks outstanding, and I am trying to get all of my horses ready so we can go in strong. It’s such an incredible venue, and it’s so close that I could scooter over, it’s the best situation,” he laughed.
David Cameron (AUS) came very close to snagging the lead aboard Laura Sloey’s 16-year-old SLS stallion, Beijing LS La Silla (Quintero x Carrera), with a quick time of 39.956 seconds, securing second place.
Thursday’s Welcome Prix winners, Alberto Michan (ISR) and Joint de Canabis van de Doornhoeve (Canabis Z x Evidento V.d. Doornhoeve), continued their success, clocking in a clear 40.353 seconds for third place.
Peter Petschenig (AUT) earned the fastest four-faulter award aboard It’s The Senator 111 with a speedy first-round time of 73.194 seconds, with one fence down.
Ivy Nyberg received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
Final Results – $75,000 LeMieux Grand Prix
1) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’or de Haute Melen Z – 0 / 0 – 39.260
2) David Cameron (AUS) & Bejing Ls La Silla – 0 / 0 – 39.956
3) Alberto Michan (ISR) & Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve – 0 / 0 – 40.353
4) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Valentine Car – 0 / 0 – 40.356
5) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Conto Blanco 4 – 0 / 0 – 44.571
6) Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) & J’adore Van Het Klinkhof – 0 / 4 – 40.723
7) Jenna Friedman-Lopez (ISR) & Valesca – 0 / 4 – 45.300
8) Peter Petschenig (AUT) & Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs – 0 / 16 – 47.639
9) Audrey Muscari (USA) & Cicero HS – 0 / 21 – 60.798
10) Peter Petschenig (AUT) & It’s The Senator 111 – 4 – 73.194
Source: Press Release from the World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
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