Sharn Wordley Brings Home Top Prize in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix

Conyers, GA—New Zealand native Sharn Wordley once again led the victory gallop, this time during the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix at the Atlanta Fall Classic III. He rode his reliable partner Epson Pierreville, who’s known as Rocket around the barn, to the victory. Wordley bested an impressive field, including Debbie Stephens and Kyle King, over the Michel Vaillancourt-designed course.

In the first round, riders faced a difficult triple combination that included a spooky wall as the B element. “The courses definitely got tougher throughout the week,” Wordley explains of Vaillancourt’s strategy. Five riders, including Wordley, advanced to the jump-off. There they were challenged by a bending line, followed by a sharp rollback to an oxer. Finishing second was Melissa Rudershausen, with Belynda Bond, Sergio Campos and Daniel Geitner rounding out the top five. Wordley continues, “It was a good group of riders, so it’s a great feeling to win.”

This victory continues a successful year for Wordley. In addition to wins in the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper V, the $25,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix and the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix, he has made several trips to Europe. He was on the Nations Cup team that qualified New Zealand for the 2008 Olympics. Wordley also rode Fall Kaheer to a double clear to finish fourth in the Grand Prix de Wisbecq CSI**.

Wordley and his stable will now travel to Jacksonville and then on to the National Horse Show.

Photo: Sharn Wordley and Epson Pierreville Flashpoint Photography