‘The Girls’ Win Shergar Cup

Team ‘The Girls’ won Ascot’s Shergar Cup for the first time Saturday. The team, comprised of Canada’s Emma-Jayne Wilson and Britain’s Hayley Turner and Sammy Jo Bell, earned 80 points to edge Team Great Britain and Ireland. Team Rest of the World finished third, and Team Europe was fourth.

“It’s an amazing feeling–just amazing,” said Wilson, team captain for The Girls. “I’ve got champagne all over me but that’s exactly what I wanted at the beginning of the day. I’m so glad to have ridden a winner and, although my horse in the last race didn’t quite get the trip, it was enough to win.”

Bell earned the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Award for accumulating the most individuals points on the day, which included two victories. Bell had been filling in for the injured Cathy Gannon.

“I got the call on Wednesday to say that Cathy wouldn’t make it for today and would I like to take her place,” she said. “I admit I was a bit nervous coming into today, because I wasn’t just riding for myself, I was on a team, and wanted to ride my best for the girls.”

“This was the best day of my career,” Bell added. “I can’t believe the opportunity I was given and to ride two winners and win the Silver Saddle was just amazing.”