Robert Smith takes the win in the International Stairway at Suffolk County Show
Tuesday 07 June 2022
The first leg of the International Stairway Series 2022 was held at the Suffolk County Show and it was Robert Smith from Shrewley, Warwickshire who clinched the win on Ilton, his own 14 year-old gelding.
Course designer Kelvin Bywater set a challenging first round track producing just one clear round among the five combinations that went through to the jump off. Robert and Ilton become the only combination to produce a double clear as they crossed the finish line in 50.70 seconds to take top spot. Adrian Speight jumped in to second place aboard Millfield Baloney owned by Judith Whitham. This pair picked up four faults in the first round to finish in 49.34 seconds. Chloe Winchester took third place with Spencer Golding’s Gonzalo. After a producing a clear in the first round, this combination went on to picked up four faults at the final fence in the second round to finish in 49.69 seconds.
The International Stairway takes place across a number of county shows where winning combinations accrue League Points that count towards the Final which takes place at the British Showjumping National Championships in August at Stoneleigh Park. The series culminates with a high-profile championship where three Horse of the Year Show International Wild Cards are allocated as well as it being where the sports National Champion is crowned.
The International Stairway, supported by the British Showjumping Partnership with funding from sponsors including Charles Owen, KBIS Insurance, NAF and Zebra Products.
