The International Stairway season begins
Thursday 26 May 2022
Britain’s brilliant county show season is nearly upon us, and this means lots of fantastic jumping action is kicking off as the British Showjumping Business Partnerships International Stairway League and Series gets underway.
The Series showcases the top-level talent of both horse and rider within British Showjumping as they partake in a test of speed, accuracy, power and consistency.
The series offers a unique opportunity to compete in a national class, whereby the course specifications and the thrilling atmosphere are like that of a 4* Nations Cup or Grand Prix competition held at overseas international team events.
The experience gives GBR team selectors a prime opportunity to view up and coming team prospects on home soil. The 1.55m course, designed and built by a level 5 course designer (the highest level nationally), is set at a speed of 400m per minute, the maximum speed used at FEI International events worldwide, encourages a forward pace and rhythm to be maintained throughout the course, while testing the power and accuracy needed to achieve the all-important clear round.
From the first round, the best five scores, or all clear rounds, will go forward to the second round, which will be against the clock. In the event of equality, faults and time will decide (i.e., the fastest four faulters will qualify).
All scores in the first round will be carried forward to the second round. Competitors in the second round will start in the reverse order of merit according to faults and time in the first round.
Horse and rider combinations have seven opportunities to gain as many points as possible, giving them the best chance of victory as they head into the big finale held at British Showjumping National Championships at Stoneleigh Park in August, where horse and rider combinations can then qualify for the international classes at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.
Di Lampard, GB Showjumping performance manager said of the series: “As experience goes, there is nothing like competing at shows like these to challenge competitors in terms of the atmosphere and pressure of big crowds and also the technical skill of jumping on grass. It is a fantastic place to go and spot up and coming future talent and also watch top names compete.”
Chief Executive of British Showjumping Iain Graham added: “We wish the very best of luck to everyone taking part in the International Stairway Series this year and we will be looking forward to watching the series culminate at Stoneleigh this August.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the supporters of the British Showjumping Business Partnership who are proud to once again be sponsoring the International Stairway Series.
“The Partnership is supported by brands including ClipMyHorse.TV, Charles Owen, Duralock, KBIS, HorseQuest, Haygain NAF and Zebra Products, to whom all of us at British Showjumping are extremely grateful.”
Follow the International Stairway – tickets and information
If you would like to head out to spectate at any of the county shows hosting Stairway classes then please find out more about each show and buy tickets*
Suffolk County Show - 31 May to 1 June 2022
Official website suffolkshow.co.uk and ticketing https://suffolkshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/139
South Of England - 12 June 2022
www.seas.org.uk/ and https://seas.ticketsrv.co.uk/events/
Royal Highland Show - 23 to 26 June 2022
https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/ and https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/5324367
Royal Norfolk Show - 29 to 30 June 2022
https://www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk and https://www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk/tickets/
Devon County - 30 June to 2 July 2022
https://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk/ and https://devoncountyshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/
Great Yorkshire Show - 12 to 14 July 2022
https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ and https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information/
New Forest & Hants County - 26 to 28 July 2022
https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/ and https://newforestshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/
*please refer to each individual shows’ timetable to find out what date the Stairway classes will be taking place
