Grand Prix of Sarasota crowns champ at TerraNova

The Myakka equine facility hosted some of the world's best jumpers.

By Jay Heater
| 12:35 a.m. January 15, 2023

East County
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The $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota at the TerraNova Equine Center Saturday in Myakka City included a Mick Jagger sighting.

No, not the rock singer.

Mick Jagger, ridden by New Zealand Olympian Sharn Wordley, finished just short of the title, unable to match Ocala rider Kristen VanderVeen and Jireh.

Wordley placed both second with Mick Jagger as well as third with his entry Gatsby.

Wordley and Mick Jagger had no satisfaction from the second-place finish.

Twenty horse-and-rider combinations competed for the event, which attracted an international fiield.

Australian Olympian Scott Keach placed fourth on Wild Thing and fifth on Cencorinue.

Kristen VanderVeen and Jasmijn race through the course at the TerraNova Equestrian Center during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota. Although that pair didn't make the final four, VanderVeen won the event aboard Jireh.

Kristen VanderVeen takes a victory lap aboard Jireh following the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota.

Kristen VanderVeen and Jireh had perfect runs to win the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota Jan. 14 at the TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City.

Brooks Hull and Zechariah compete on a cold, windy day during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota Jan. 14.

Scott Keach and Wild Thing had a clean run to qualify for the jump-offs.

Brooks Hull and Zechariah are coming straight ahead at the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota.

Kristen VanderVeen and Jasmijn didn't qualify for the final four at the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota, but VanderVeen did win the competition on Jireh.

Kristen VanderVeen and Jasmijn breezed over a jump during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota, but they couldn't complete a clean run.

The TerraNova Equestrian Center showed off its colors in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota Jan. 14. Here, Kristen VanderVeen negotiates a jump riding Jasmijn.

The $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota hosts 20 horse-and-rider combinations, including Allen Nabors and Master Clinton DVE, Jan. 14 at the TerraNova Equestrian Center.

Allen Nabors leads Master Clinton DVE over a jump. They didn't make the final four.

Olympian Sharn Wordley and his horse Mick Jagger complete a third-place finish at the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota at TerraNova.

Kristen VanderVeen and Jireh complete their final jump to take first place in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota Jan. 14 at TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City.

Sharn Wordley and Mick Jagger tackle the course at TerraNova during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota.

Brooks Hull, who is 15, turns Zechariah toward a jump. They failed to make the final four.

Craig Starr starts a solid run aboard Christian Dior but couldn't finish it when his horse unseated him. He wasn't injured.

Christian Dior bulks at jumping, and that sent Craig Starr out of the saddle. He managed to land on his feet and wasn't injured.

Craig Starr masterfully swings himself around and lands on his feet after coming out of the saddle aboard Christian Dior.

Craig Starr works to get Christian Dior calmed down after his fall.

Stephanie Gallucci brings down Broken Heart after a successful jump.

Stephanie Gallucci and Broken Heart run through the course at TerraNova but fail to make the final four.

Scott Keach and Wild Thing perform in the jump-offs at TerraNova.

Kylie Clarkson goes up and over aboard ESH Diamantino. They made the jump, but didn't finish a clean run.

Kristen VanderVeen hugs Faustino De Tili as they go through a jump together, but they failed to finish a clean run.

Australian Olympian Scott Keach and Wild Thing begin a flawless run which landed them in the jump-offs.

After clearing a hurdle, Marylisa Leffler comes down with Zaza Z. They failed to make the final four.

Scott Keach couldn't finish a clean run aboard Cencorinue PS.

Haley Gassel soars over a jump on Iliano Van D'Abelendreef but failed to complete a clean run which took them out of the competition.

Haley Gassel, aboard Iliano Van D'Abelendreef, goes high over a jump in front of the VIP Pavilion at TerraNova.

Eventual winner Kristen VanderVeen takes a jump with Faustino de Tili, one of three entries she had. She won aboard Jireh.

Kristen VanderVeen gives Jireh a job well done pat after their fast, clean run in the jump offs secured the championship.

Amy Shafmaster and Infante SK didn't have a clean run so didn't advance to the final four.

Kristen VanderVeen, the eventual winner of the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sarasota, guides Jasmijn through a jump. While Jasmijn didn't make the final four, VanderVeen won aboard Jireh.

author

Jay Heater

Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.