Lexington, KY – August 16, 2021 – As the conclusion of the Hagyard Rider Challenge quickly approaches, New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley remains the rider to beat. The Hagyard Rider Challenge is 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 leads the pack with 290 points. Following behind Wordley are Cormac Hanley and Daniel Coyle, tied for second with 250 points. The top 10 athletes are as follows:
The 2021 Hagyard Rider Challenge includes 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 will be $20,000, and Hagyard will team up with Audi of Lexington and Central Kentucky Ag Credit to award the top rider at the end of the last event.
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute has hosted the popular challenge series since 2006. Each spring and summer, the events are held at the Kentucky Horse Park directly across from Hagyard’s Campus in Lexington. In September, the rider that accumulates the most points in the Series will be presented the Leading Rider Award during the Kentucky National Horse Show. The Series typically feature two CSI3* classes making riders eligible to earn points toward international show-jumping rankings.
