It was a perfect day for the 2008 Olympic duo of Sharn Wordley and the brilliant Rockville, the winners of the Lucky Sevens Jumper Welcome Classic presented by ShowNet.biz on January 22.
Wordley’s one mount bested 27 contenders for the top spot, including Wilhelm Genn, who dominated the circuit last year with his three mounts, Chantal, Loredo, and Happy Z. But as the sun began to set on the swift jump-off round, Wordley had survived the trials and tribulations put before them courtesy of course designer Allen Rheinheimer.
“He was just spot on,” said Wordley, who had nothing but confidence in his dark bay 11-year-old gelding. This marks Wordley’s second year of competing at the Jacksonville Winter Series. “I like it here! Great facility,” the winner began. “Everyone has been terrific.” The New Zealand-born rider/trainer now resides in Ocala, FL, though the majority of his time is spent on the road to either the next big event or across continents in search of the exceptional horse. He co-owns Rockville with Rhonda Gobel and most recently had the honor of taking the gelding to Hong Kong, riding for team New Zealand in the Olympics.
Course designer Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, IN, set what he referred to as a “Simple layout. I’m all about simple today,” he said with a smirk, but then turned serious to explain that his strategy for the afternoon was merely a gage of the level of riders for the weekend’s grand prix.
With a generous time allowance of 84 seconds for the first round, the majority of riders taking on the 11-obstacle layout ended their runs with four faults. The culprit was a skinny vertical #3 fence set at an angle where horse-and-rider found themselves jumping into the sun. “No doubt the light and shadows played havoc on some,” Wordley said. He went on to say while not a huge track, it was one that riders must ride carefully—“a thinking course.”
Ten horses advanced to the 42 second jump-off round of seven efforts, which included a rolling turn to the 10AB double combination [oxer to vertical] where many a rail thumped the ground. Rockville was cautious, fast and the first clean with a 29.941 run. A time that held through the next seven riders and assured victory for Wordley. Second place went to Alabama’s pride, Holly Shepherd and Tuppy Dougherty's entry Cabarette Z with a fault-free finishing time of 32.236. Following in third was owner-rider Cassie Frost and El Toro with a clean time of 33.428, while fourth place went to veteran rider Tony Font aboard the YZ Partners, LLC, owned Gardenio with a time of 33.823 clear. Completing the top five was Yvonne Bryan and the Amen Corner Farm, LLC,-owned Palm Sunday riding clean in a time of 35.988. Wordley will return this weekend for the $25,000 Marco Family Grand Prix with Rockville and longtime partner Epson Pierreville.
In hunter news, it was a three-peat for one of the circuit’s busiest riders, Mary Eufemia, taking championships with the Paula Pell-owned Unbelievable. Eufemia captured the title of champ in Week One’s First Year Green Hunter division then moving up to the Second Year Green Hunter division, the duo has swept the championships for the past two weeks. Eufemia and husband Kevin own and share the training duties of popular Ravenwood Farm based in Palm Harbor, FL. “He’s just an incredible horse! I enjoy every ride with him and appreciate Paula’s confidence in me,” she said.
The Jacksonville Winter Series continues until February 1 with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. until about 5 p.m. Admission to the shows are free, however a $5 donation is requested for special events, which in turn is given to various local charities. For more information or results on the 2009 Jacksonville Winter Series, please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at (904) 284-1579.