January 29, 2007

Jacksonville Winter Series - Week Two, Cont.

National Becomes International As New Zealand Pros Win Big

At seven o’clock sharp the first of 26 horses crossed through the end gate to take on Pierre’s challenge. Having the first 5 horses ride clean and within the time allowed almost gave a false impression of just how difficult the course was. Among those first clears were both the New Zealand born riders Sharn Wordley and Kirk Webby, both now based in the Ocala, FL area. Sharn had the second horse in the order, Rockville a 9 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding which he owns and had a clear time of 82.265 while Sitah, the 12 year-old Belgium Warmblood mare owned by Tolleshunt Horse Farm, Inc. was the first of 2 mounts for Kirk in the event and had a clear first round time of 78.430.

“It was a nice run” Kirk said of the first round. Nearly a dozen more horses would try and fail before another clear round was had. In the end only 8 returned for the 48-second jump off round, with Kirk having one chance in Sitah and Sharn bringing three. USET veteran Tony Font of Magnolia, TX was among the talented 8 and in a daring move that put the crowd into a frenzy. Partnered with Gardenio the 17 year-old gelding owned by the YZ Partnership, Tony made a hairpin turn coming off oxer #2 that had them squeezing between the standard of fence #13 and a decorative tree, a space of barely 3 ½ feet in width to take over the lead with a blazing time of 37.366 seconds. “That was really small!” Kirk Webby said of the spacing, Sitah was the next and only other horse to attempt the squeeze play. It paid off with an amazing time of 34.076 that cinched the victory for Kirk in the $25,000 Grubb & Ellis Grand Prix.

“She was fast!” exclaimed Kirk after the win, he went on to say of Sitah, “I got her through McClain (Ward) at the start of last summer. She was good during the summer with 8 or 9 grand prix placings and she’s just starting back now. She can be difficult but very big hearted.” After the Jacksonville Series the pair will return to home base in Ocala for a couple weeks of competition to gage when they’ll head to the Winter Festival in Palm Beach. Long-range plans include the goal of qualifying for the New Zealand Olympic team, which begins with a Nations Cup class in Germany this June.

While riding is a pleasure for this pro it was very evident his real joy is found with family as daughter Jade, age 5, and son Zack, age 3 happily climbed all over dad a beaming wife Robin stood at his side. Kirk confirmed this is a family venture. “I’m quite lucky that a family guy, Wayne Jaccobus, is one of my main backers. He’s been a great help keeping us together.” As for visits home to New Zealand Kirk and Jade both agreed not nearly as often as they’d like. He explained that in order to compete at this level it’s just more sensible to reside in the US, saying, “the traveling from home to compete is just too far and the competition is better here as well as the business part. So living in the US just seemed best for now.”

Finishing out the top five spots for the event were fellow New Zealander Sharn Wordley with Quick Flash in a time of 35.171 for the second place award. Third place went to Tony Font and Gardenio with a final clear time of 37.366, fourth place was awarded to Sharn and Rockville completing the round in 37.707 seconds, and the fifth position went to Mary Nicholson-Leffler piloting Gerona 92 for owners Rolling Acres Farm with a time of 38.772.

The Jacksonville Winter Series continues until February 11th with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8AM until about 5PM. Coming up the Jacksonville Jerry Parks Insurance $25,000 Hunter Classic on Saturday, February 3rd at 7PM and the Jacksonville Winter A to Z $35,000 Grand Prix benefiting the Jacksonville Zoo on Sunday, February 4th with activities for young and old starting at 11AM. Zoo residents will be visiting and a special silent auction will take place on the show grounds prior to the main event at 2PM. Admission to the shows are free, a $5 donation is requested for special events, which in turn is given to the series’ various charities. For more information or results on the 2007 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 904-284-9492.

PHOTO: Kirk Webby and Sitah win the $25,000 Grubb & Ellis Grand Prix. Photo by Flashpoint Photography.