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.”
Final Results:
1. Sharn Wordley – 540 total points
2. Cormac Hanley – 330 total points
3. Daniel Coyle – 250 total points
4. Molly Ashe-Cawley – 220 total points
5. David O’Brien – 170 total points
5. Alex Matz – 170 total points
5. Camilo Rueda – 170 total points
5. David Beisel – 170 total points
6. Taylor St Jacques – 160 total points
7. Karl Cook – 130 total points
7. Kent Farrington – 130 total points
The 2021 Hagyard Rider Challenge included the following events:
• $137,000 Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix CSI3* Saturday, May 15th at the Kentucky Spring Horse show
• $137,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* presented by Hagyard Saturday, May 22nd at the Kentucky Spring Classic
• $50,000 Hagyard Grand Prix Saturday, August 7th at the Kentucky Summer Classic
• $50,000 The Betsy Grand Prix presented by Hagyard – Sunday, September 26th Kentucky National Horse Show/The Betsy Gala
As in previous years, points are tracked throughout the Series, with the leading rider receiving a bonus cash prize at the end. This year’s bonus was $20,000, and Hagyard teamed up with Audi of Lexington and Central Kentucky Ag Credit to award the top rider at the Kentucky National Horse Show.
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute has hosted the popular challenge series since 2006. The events were held at the Kentucky Horse Park directly across from Hagyard’s Campus in Lexington this spring and summer. Wordley, the rider who accumulated the most points in the Series, was presented the Leading Rider Award during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. In addition, the Series featured two CSI3* classes making riders eligible to earn points toward international show-jumping rankings.
