Marks Edwards Wins the Final International Stairway Leg at the Great Yorkshire Show
Thursday 10 July 2025
The final leg of the 2025 International Stairway League took place on the second day of the Great Yorkshire Show where Welshman Mark Edwards secured the win for a second year in a row, this year with Flying Tinker II
Thirty-nine came forward to contend the 1.50m track, and with faults coming all throughout the course, five riders would advance to the jump-off, four with clears and one with just a single time fault. Last to go, the ‘Master of Faster’ once again proved to be uncatchable, expertly steering the 14-year-old gelding, owned by Marks Father Martyn, around he shortened course in a time of 47.63 seconds.
Almost five seconds behind him, John Whitaker rode his own and Clare Whitaker’s Equine America Unick Du Francport into second place crossing the finish in 52.28 seconds. Charlotte Ash picked up third place aboard Graeme Ash’s Irma Riende, just 0.39 seconds further in arrears. With one time fault in round one, William Whitaker and David Hill’s Cristallos Double Take kept a clean sheet in the jump-off to take home fourth place, whilst Chris Smith slotted into fifth with Heathcroft Stud’s Chagolou after tapping out the Great Yorkshire Show planks at fence three.
This victory denotes Marks third win of the 2025 International Stairway series, having won the legs at Suffolk County Show and South of England Show earlier in the Year.
“There were some very strong entries in the class, but Flying Tinker is on good form at the moment and jumped two great rounds. He’s such a super little horse, loves going quick and is so careful.
“The Great Yorkshire is always a wonderful show, great crowds and the ground was really good. It was good to be able to back up Dillinger NE’s win here last year with Flying Tinker II. We’ll go to Chard and Hickstead now before heading to Nationals for the Stairway Final,” added Mark, who won the final in 2023 with Flying Tinker.
This popular Series is supported by the British Showjumping Business Partnership, which includes ClipMyHorse.TV, Charles Owen, HorseQuest, Ariat, and Zebra Products, to whom everyone at British Showjumping is extremely grateful.
Find the full International Stairway league here:
https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/rankings/lists/International-Stairway-Series. The final International Stairway Final will take place at the British Showjumping National Championships in August.
Great Yorkshire Show – Wednesday, 9 July 2025
International Stairway Series
1st –Mark Edwards and Flying Tinker II – 0/0 47.63
2nd – John Whitaker & Equine America Unick Du Francport – 0/0 52.28
3rd – Charlotte Ash & Irma Riende – 0/0 52.67
4th – William Whitaker & Cristallos Double Take – 1/0 54.01
5th – Chris Smith & Chagolou – 0/4 51.12
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image credit:
1h4gerqz9xjnf.jpg "Millie Boreham and Kimberley Gowing take home the final tickets to the STX UK Pony Novice Final")
