Sharn Wordley returned to the 2005 Woodside Summer Circuit and once again captured all three major jumper classes. At the Woodside Circuit Opener, held June 23-26, he galloped to the first three spots in the $10,000 Woodside Jumper Classic aboard Cody in first, Gorki in second and Octupus in third.
During the Bay Area Festival, held June 29-July 3, Cody once again led the victory gallop in the $20,000 Bayfest Grand Prix. “He is just an awesome machine,” said Wordley of the 18-year-old grey gelding. “He pays his way, and as long as he wants to keep jumping I will show him.”
Seven made the jump off from the 24 starters. Wordley was last to go on Cody, and he had his work cut out for him. “I had to be really fast," he said. "I wouldn’t have gone as fast as I did if I wasn’t last in the order.” Both Benson Carroll and Patrick Seaton turned up the heat. Aboard Stonepipe Largus II, Carroll sped around the jump-off in a time of 38.871. A few rounds later, Seaton shaved off almost two seconds (36.986) with Good Guiness. Seaton looked unbeatable until Cody raced around the course in a time of 33.450.
The Golden Gate Classic, held July 6-10, wrapped up the three weeks of Northern California show jumping action. Filip Amram flew in from Instanbul to watch Wordley ride his new horse, Mr. Flanagan, in the $20,000 Golden Gate Grand Prix. Amram was delighted to stand in the winner’s photo with his new horse. “I got to know Sharn when he was in Europe, and he would help me with my riding,” explained Amram. “I show in the 1.30 meter classes, and I wanted to move up. I am very excited about this horse.”
In the hunter ring, Carrie Robinson rode her lovely Ballari to amateur owner hunter 18-35 champion honors the second two weeks. She won four of the five classes at the Bay Area Festival and then made a clean sweep of the section during the Golden Gate Classic. Robinson lives in Woodside and appreciates having quality USEF AA shows in her back yard. “We travel south for the big shows,” said Robinson, “so it is nice to stay at home and easier on the horses. This is a great place to show.” Robinson trains with John Bragg’s Bridgeport Farms.
Hillary Helfrich, another student of Bragg’s, rode her horse, Hot Shot, to the junior hunter championship at the Bay Area Festival and to reserve champion at the Golden Gate Classic. The Helfrich Family also sponsored the $2,500 Junior-Amateur Owner Jumper Classic at the two shows. At the Bay Area Festival, Erin Ostby piloted her horse, Hawaii, to the classic win, and Marnco’s Carlo Carlando won the classic at the Golden Gate Classic.
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