Lexington, KY – October 21, 2021 – After holding onto a strong lead throughout the Hagyard Rider Challenge series, New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley ultimately took home the Leading Rider Award after earning a total of 540 points. The Hagyard Rider Challenge was a four-part series of premier show-jumping events held at the Kentucky Horse Park, concluding on September 26th with the $50,000 Betsy Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Medical Institute at the Kentucky National Horse Show.

After winning the $137,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* presented by Hagyard at the Kentucky Spring Classic and placing ninth in the $135,000 Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix CSI3*, Wordley led the pack with 290 points going into the final competition at the Kentucky National Horse Show. Wordley once again proved to be a force to reckon with at the Kentucky National Horse Show, speeding to victory in the $50,000 Betsy Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Medical Institute, helping him secure the overall win for the Hagyard Rider Challenge series.

Cormac Hanley took home second in the series, earning 330 points after claiming victory in the $50,000 Hagyard Grand Prix Saturday, August 7th, at the Kentucky Summer Classic. After starting the series out strong, Daniel Coyle was not far behind Hanley, claiming the blue ribbon in the $137,000 Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix CSI3* Saturday, May 15th at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

“Once again, we are proud sponsors of this series. It was great to see people back at the Kentucky National Horse Show and to feel the energy surrounding the event,” said Dr. Kevin Pfiester. “The entire series was exciting, and Sharn certainly didn’t disappoint in the finals. We congratulate him and all of the amazing participants.”

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.