Adrian Speight and Millfield Baloney land the International Stairway at Royal Norfolk
Friday 30 June 2023
.jpg "Adrian Speight and Millfield Baloney land the International Stairway at Royal Norfolk")
Adrian Speight maintained his winning form with Judith Whitham’s Millfield Baloney and, just four days after winning the £8,000 to the winner Royal Highland Grand Prix, the pair topped the International Stairway at Royal Norfolk.
“What a horse, he jumped two great rounds for a 17-year-old but the more he does, the better he is, he’s like a well-oiled wheel,” said Adrian.
Only seven came forward over the 1.50m track with Adrian and the on-form Baloney (Balou Du Rouet x Kanudos) supplying the only first round clear.
“It is such a pity the entries were low, this is a lovely show and they couldn’t be more helpful. They have a fantastic schedule from 1.20m with a HOYS grade C, area trial and International Stairway and the ground the first day was absolutely spot on, the effort that has gone into maintaining the Grand Ring is second to none, it was fantastic,” said Adrian.
They were joined in the jump-off by the best of the faulters to form a four-horse decider, Adrian claiming the best of the in reverse order of merit draw.
Carrying four faults from round one, Phillip Miller provided a clear second time out on Brendon Stud’s Don Royale to stand top of the order; until Adrian took his turn.
“They’d had some overnight rain which made the going on the soft side – Baloney prefers it on the firm side of soft – Phil’s horse jumped a good second round and that adds to the pressure. I had to keep the pace up in case we had a fence down but it went my way on the day,” said Adrian, who finished 5.72 seconds in front of time as well as producing the only double clear.
“The biggest thing is keeping him focused, he has so much blood and still puts in the occasional spook, even at his age. We keep him in the same routine and have tried to do a bit less with him, but he thrives on jumping. Great Yorkshire is next on the bucket list – I’d love to win the Cock o’ The North, we clocked the fastest time but had the last fence down last year.”
Adrian jumps up the order of the International Stairway leaderboard to sixth with 21 points but is still eight points behind the leader, Mark Edwards on Flying Tinker II on 29 with Great Yorkshire and New Forest & Hants to come.
Royal Norfolk Show – 29 June, 2023
International Stairway
1st Adrian Speight & Millfield Baloney – 0/0 - 51.29 seconds
2nd Phillip Miller & Don Royale – 0/0 - 57.01 seconds
3rd Tim Davies & Nielson 8/4 - 52.71 seconds
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: Top Shots Photography
The International Stairway, supported by the British Showjumping Partnership with funding from sponsors including Charles Owen, ClipMyHorse.TV, HorseQuest and Zebra Products.
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