New Market, Tennessee—Sharn Wordley earned his 31st grand prix victory in the past two years with a win in the $25,000 Animal SOS Rescue Grand Prix held October 1. The victory came on Medrano, a 12 year old gelding that Wordley found in England. In addition to first place, Wordley also finished third and sixth in the class.

Twenty-three competitors contested the first round. “It was pretty technical, but not too big,” Wordley said of the Anthony D’Ambrosio course. Five horses advanced to the jump-off, including Wordley with Medrano and Epsom Pierrerille, who ended up in third place. For Medrano, the jump-off was the ideal course. Wordley explained, “The jump-off really suited him. It had a lot of twists and turns. He’s really scopey so I could turn tight to the oxers.” The strategy worked as Wordley finished nearly a half-second ahead of second placed David Q. Wright riding Campari.

The victory came in Medrano’s third grand prix start. The talented gelding also finished second in the $25,000 Grand Prix at Estes Park II and was in the ribbons in St. Louis. “He’s an amateur horse for his owner Filip Amram,” Wordley said. “I just ride him now and then.” Wordley and Medrano also claimed first place in the Welcome Stakes.

Wordley is now in the lead for the $5,000 Rider Bonus that will be offered to the grand prix rider earning the most money during the three week Smoky Mountain Fall Gathering circuit.

About Sharn Wordley:
Wordley, a native of New Zealand, has represented his country in numerous Nation’s Cups and has competed in 22 countries. He qualified for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and was the young rider champion in New Zealand earlier in his career. In addition to his victories as a rider, Wordley has coached riders who have gone on to represent their countries in the Olympics, World Cup Finals, World Championships and the Pan American Games.