Late Invite Entry Worth Its Weight in Gold

Late Invite Entry Worth Its Weight in Gold

US-based Kiwi showjumper Sharn Wordley has finished third in the Zoetis $1 million grand prix at the HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties in New York bagging a $US120,000 third prize.

Wordley received a late invitation from show organisers keen to see him and his 10-year-old mare Derly Chin de Muze (owned by Ashland Stables) included in the 39-strong line-up.

Derly, who was previously ridden by former world number one Erik Lamaze and competed at the London Olympics, and has been with Wordley for just under a year.

“She is the best horse I have ever sat on,” he said. “She is definitely a real candidate for World Champs.”

The leggy chestnut Belgium warmblood, who is by Hanoverian stallion For Pleasure and out of French dam Werly Chin de Muze, didn’t even nudge a rail on her way around the challenging Olaf Petersen (GER) designed course.

“I was first to go,” said Wordley, who only got the call from show management 10 days ago to invite him to line up the very prestigious class. Just five combinations are invited, and the rest have to qualify.

“The time was very tight so I went pretty fast but we ended up .3 of a second over, so got the time fault. She’s got all the scope in the world – she’s extremely careful and is just a fantastic horse.”

Wordley is aiming to qualify for the 2014 World Equestrian Championships at the Nations Cup event in Wellington, Florida, in March.

They’re also hoping to line up in two more $1 million grand prix – one on either coast – next year which are part of the triple crown of showjumping.

Today’s class was won by Nayel Nassar aboard Lordan, with Todd Minikus on Quality Girl second after a jump off.

Also in the class was Californian based Duncan McFarlane aboard Mr Whoopy (owned by Simone Coxe) who ran into trouble just five fences from home and ended up with 12 jump faults as well as a single time fault.

Results – Nayel Nassar, Lordan 1; Todd Minikus, Quality Girl 2; Sharn Wordley (NZL) Derly Chin De Muze (owned by Ashland Stables) 3; Duncan McFarlane (NZL) Mr Whoopy (owned by Simone Coxe) 18.

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