Wordley Pilots Barnetta to First Win of Inaugural FEI CSI 5* Week at TIEC in $35,000 1.45 Horseware Ireland Open
Press release TIEC – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) ushered in the first ever FEI CSI 5* week today, as spectators watched Sharn Wordley (NZL) take the win in the $35,000 1.45m Horseware Ireland Open aboard Barnetta with a time of 41.985 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 collected second place, finishing in 43.219 seconds, while Karl Cook (USA) and Caillou 24 rounded out the top three, crossing the timers in 44.231 seconds. Competition at TIEC continues tomorrow with the $130,000 1.50m Suncast® Welcome beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the George H. Morris Arena.
Wordley has secured a number of top finishes at TIEC throughout the Tryon Spring Series, rotating a strong string of four horses through the winner’s circle. The track, designed by Alan Wade (IRL), who will build the FEI courses for the remainder of the week, saw nine combinations of twenty original entries move forward to the jump-off round. David Raposa (USA) and Eric Navet (FRA) both voluntarily withdrew from the short course, which left seven pairs to vie for the win.
„The course was just fantastic. Alan always builds beautifully and he’s one of the best course builders around. Very rarely do you ever say anything negative about his courses,“ said Wordley. „I didn’t feel a ton of pressure going into the jump-off. He’s jumping well and I was able to go last so I had the chance to see what everyone else did.“
As the last pair to enter the jump-off round, Wordley felt that Barnetta’s large stride would come into good use, which is how he felt they secured the win. He explained, „I think I made up the time in a few places here or there around the course because he covers a lot of ground. He stayed very smooth for me and it was a course that you had to ride that way. It suited him very well and I was happy with the way he performed, especially since it’s the first time I’ve really asked him to move in the jump-off.“
This was the first win for Wordley and Barnetta at TIEC this season, but the 2004 Westphalian gelding (Baloubet du Rouet x Polydora) owned by Sky Group, has always finished close to the top of the leaderboard. Barnetta handled the track and added pressure well, according to Wordley, which is what he has been working on since taking over the ride a year ago.
„He feels fantastic. That was the first time I’ve gone fast with the horse because last year I was really just trying to build his confidence in the grand prix classes,“ he commented. „That was my main focus last season, but he’s had some great finishes too. He was second in Central Park and he was third in a big class at WEF, so he has the talent.“
Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 led late in the jump-off order and looked to have a firm grasp on the win before Wordley maneuvered Barnetta to a quick right turn after the Adequan® one stride to secure the victory.
„We’ve found that he prefers jumping three classes when we bring him out. It’s better for him and he just keeps jumping better with each class. I’m really looking forward to this week with him. He has a big stride so I can kind of just float around the courses with him,“ he added.
Wordley has three horses competing in FEI this week and is motivated to add top finishes to his overall record with Barnetta, Casper, and Auckland De L’Enclos, while improving his world ranking, in which he currently holds 79th place. The three horses competing under Wordley’s guidance this week each have a unique strength of their own, but Wordley’s top mount, Casper, will be one to watch during the $380,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 5* for the Governor’s Cup on Saturday, June 11.
„Barnetta has been a really great horse for me. He’s going to jump the class tomorrow and then will have Friday off before we bring him back out on Sunday,“ he noted. „Casper and Auckland will both go in the $130,000 class tomorrow, along with Barnetta, and then Casper will do Saturday night for certain. We’ll have to see how the rest of the week plays out.“
Competition at TIEC continues tomorrow with the $130,000 1.50m Suncast® Open Welcome beginning at 12:30 p.m. For more information on TIEC and to see a full list of results please visit www.tryon.com.
Final Results $35,000 1.45 Horseware Ireland Open
1. BARNETTA, 2004 Westphalian gelding by Baloubet du Rouet x Polydora
SHARN WORDLEY (NZL), Sky Group: 0/0/41.985
2. CYKLON 1083, 2001 Swedish Warmblood gelding stallion by Cardento x Cassandra
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Spy Coast Farm, LLC: 0/0/43.219
3. CAILLOU 24, 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Tamina
KARL COOL, Signe Ostby: 0/0/44.231
4. QUABELLE, 2004 Selle Francais mare by Helios de la Cour II x Ba Belle Van’t Roosakker
BLYTHE MARANO (USA), Riverview Farm, LLC: 0/0/45.337
5. BARON, 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Ukato x Vera van Veecaten
DAVID BLAKE (IRL), Pine Hollow Farm: 0/0/46.838
6. CARLOTTA, 2008 Hanoverian mare by Unknown
ANDREW BOURNS (IRL), Andrew Bourns Sport Horses Inc.: 0/4/44.255
7. ECHO D, 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Orlando x Nistria de Lauzelle
LACEY GILBERTSON (USA), Seabrook LLC: 0/4/44.757
8. S & L Sage, 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor van de Mispelaere x Bonbon VII de Ninive
DAVID RAPOSA (USA), S & L Farms: 0/VW
9. CATYPSO, 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Catoki x Celine
ERIC NAVET (FRA), Signe Ostby: 0/VW
10. NOKIA DE BREKKA, 2001 Selle Francais gelding by Quick Star x Hermine de Brekka
EMANUEL ANDRADE (VEN), Emanuel Andrade: 4/77
11. HHS LOUIS, 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Quidam Junior x HHS Flowing
AMANDA FORTE (USA), Cerulean Stables LLC: 4/80.57
12. TEIRRA, 2000 Dutch Warmblood mare by Tolano van get Riethof x Oldatussa
ALISE OKEN (USA), Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 4/82.01
Source: Press release TIEC
