Sharn Wordley wins $30,000 Grand Prix Championship on Mr. Flanagan at First Coast Invitational
By: Teri Rehkopf
Last Modified: 12/6/2007 3:23:41 PM

Sharn Wordley wins the $30,000 Grand Prix Championship on Mr. Flanagan and Third Place on Epsom at the inaugural First Coast Invitational held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.

 

Michael Morrisey captures 2^nd place on Crelido, owned by Eugene Mische of Stadium Jumping, Inc.

 

All photo credits copyright 2007 Teri Rehkopf, HorsesintheSouth.com

 

Jacksonville , Florida – December 1-2, 2007 - What a beautiful day for a Grand Prix event in Jacksonville, Florida! With an amazing 54 entries for the Grand Prix event held on Saturday, December 1^st on a new grass ring and next to newly finished stalls, the JEC has shown that the Jacksonville has what it takes for a first-class show jumping venue.  Bill Joyce of Shadow Rock Farm in Ballston Spa, New York, the director, producer and show manager, put on an event that attracted the best of the best in the show jumping world.  The mini Grand Prix on the following day had 48 entries ‘to boot’!

 

The First Coast Invitational benefited Builders Care, a nonprofit division of the Northeast Florida Builders Association established to reduce substandard housing by providing repair services to seriously deteriorated homes belonging to the low income, elderly and disabled.

 

Eugene Mische of SJI was on hand to help Ringmaster, John Franzreb present the awards and personally congratulate his nephew, Michael Morrisey on his second place win. Two-time Olympic silver medal winner and Captain of the USET, Frank Chapot and Wendy Chapot Nunn did a wonderful job as the show’s course designers. Frank and Wendy also shared judging duties with announcer Steve Sarafin and Vincent Sava, the ring steward. Sava is an “RC1” Steward and an FEI Chief Jumping Steward. Joyce coaxed Kathi Baker out of semi-retirement working as a CPA to be the Event and Show Secretary. Kathi kept the show process running smoothly and deserves a big ‘thank you’! A good show secretary is hard to come by and everyone who worked behind the scenes, from the night watchman, show farrier, the stall cleaners and all the helpers deserve a huge appreciation for their support. Whizzer Baker also did a fabulous job as the Show Coordinator.

 

A little background on Frank Chapot's success at the First Coast Invitational. He designed courses so outstanding that the entire group of competitors was constantly adding more and more classes as the show progressed. Everyone commented to me that each and every course was perfect for their horses. Frank did in fact exceed everyone's expectations

 

The most important single element of Show Jumping is actually a team . The union of horse and rider is the very essence of the event, and while athleticism, courage intelligence and knowledge are essential to be competitive, the quality of the meld between mount and rider is what elevates to championship level.

 

The First Coast Invitational (www.FirstCoastInvitational.com ) was advertised as ‘The best kept secret in Florida” and "Where the North Meets the South" - A unique idea come to life in the equestrian world.  A blending of two cultures, the First Coast Invitational brings to the Jacksonville Florida Equestrian Center the very best of two separate universes: the old world sophistication of the Show Horse Community with Olympic Show Jumping, contrasting with the excitement and tradition of the American Cowboy and Rodeo's Premier Event, Professional Bull Riding. Joyce has managed, organized, promoted, judged and provided logistical support for horse shows across the North American continent and overseas.

 

Sharn Wordley on Epsom

The riders loved the footing in the new grass rebound ring and the newly built stalls donated to the JEC by the City of Jacksonville and filled with Suncoast Bedding.  All Grand Prix entered horses got free stalls and free night watch was provided for all entries. Lesa Williams the manager of the JEC, even had her own horse in the show. Lesa, whose background is from managing shows at Devon, has been tirelessly working to promote the JEC to the City of Jacksonville for 4 years and now it has paid off – the JEC is getting signage on the interstates 95, 295 and 10.

 

The $30,000 Grand Prix Calcutta purse to benefit Builders Care, where you bid on the rider you think will win, had a pool distribution of 40% Winner, 40% Builders Care and 20% Admin.

 

USEF US33 $30,000 Level 7 Grand Prix Results

 

Judge:  Steve Sarafin

 

Place	Horse	Rider	Owner(s)
1	Mr. Flanagan	Sharn Wordley	Sharn Wordley, Ocala, FL
2	Crelido	Michael Morrisey	Eugene Mische, Bradenton, FL
3	Epsom	Sharn Wordley	Sharn Wordley, Ocala, FL
4	747	Chuck Waters	Chuck Waters, Sparr, FL
5	Magnolia	David Jennings	Amy Jennings, Wellington, FL
6	Sun God	Sergio Campos	Ron Krise, Cheryl Krise, Delray Beach, FL
7	Platinum	Aaron Vale	ABC4 Horses, Gulfport, MS
8	Cajun	Amanda Flint	Amanda Flint, Long Valley, NJ
9	Qui Pro Quadulodge	Richard McGrath	Central PA Equestrian Ctr., Hummelstown, PA
10	Romy	Todd Minikus	Diamond Group, Loxahatchee, FL
11	Top Liner	David Jennings	Nora McDonald, Ft. Wayne, IN
12	Hiberia Rouge	Debi Connor	Debi Connor, Reddick, FL

 

Aaron Vale winner of the mini-Grand Prix
on Sunday, Dec. 2nd - photo courtesy of
Bill Joyce 

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Bill Joyce’s (USEF R H/J/HE & RCC Steward) production credits include New York State Jumper Championships in Brunswick, shows in New Mexico, Florida, and the Republic of Panama. He has produced numerous events in New York including many 'Alpine' Shows, and provided logistical support for the Montreal Olympics at both Bromont and MontrealCanada.  For many years he operated Alpine Horse Transport, shipping horses throughout the United States, Canada and overseas.

His wife, Betsy (USEF R H/J/HE), is an active competitor, and rides both their own and clients' horses in competition. Together, they own and operate Shadow Rock Farm in Ballston Spa New York, and have owned and trained many successful hunters and jumpers.

 

Watch HorsesintheSouth.com for more pictures and slideshows of this event.

Teri Rehkopf
Staff Writer
editor@HorsesintheSouth.com