DAVID TAKES THE FIRST STEP ON THE STAIRWAY IN STYLE!

 

Today saw the first of the British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway competitions take place at the Devon County Show. With the sun shinning crowds turned out in force to watch this truly exciting series gets underway.

 

It was Kent’s David McPherson who took the top spot riding the grey Leonitos, a horse that he has not had for long. The ten year old stallion showed his class and made ease of the 1.60m fences and the questions the course designer, Kelvin Bywater asked of him. The combination was drawn last to go in the jump off  having jumped the fastest clear in the first round, and knowing that no other rider had managed to jump a double clear he knew exactly what he had to do - and he did just that.

 

The crowds were on their feet in appreciation of the horsemanship they had watched unfold. If this is the way the series looks set to continue, then spectators are in for a season of great showjumping and sportsmanship ahead of them.

 

David also rode his World Equestrian Games horse Chamberlain Z who finished in overall eighth.

 

Second place went to the Billy Stud’s William Funnell and Kepi D’Elle who is a thirteen year old bay stallion owned by Carol Toliver. The pair jumped a fantastic first round and looked set on winning however an unlucky touch of the last fence meant they finished on a total of four faults. William is currently based at his yard in Dorking, Surrey.

 

Di Lampard who is assistant Chef d’Equipe to the World Class Showjumping Performance Manager commented “Leonitos was a worthy winner today producing the only double clear across a well built course that was absolutely spot on for both the going and the standard of competitors. Today was just the start of the season and we’ll be watching with interest how performances improve for others as the series progresses”.

The International Stairway series is aimed at identifying and assessing both potential and existing British Team competitors, taking in eight of the largest County Shows in the country. Funded jointly by the British Showjumping Business Partnership and the County Show venues hosting the classes, the series has a purse of £60,000 prize fund. In addition to the prize fund available there is also the bonus of £45,000 worth of Rider Ranking Points to the eight highest placed competitors on the overall league table that sits behind the series.

Suffolk County 1 – 2 June

Royal Norfolk 29 – 30 June

Great Yorkshire Show 12 – 14 July

New Forest & Hants 26 – 28 July

Pembrokeshire 16 – 18 August

Royal County of Berkshire 17 – 18 September

 

In addition for 2011 a 'Wild Card' to compete in the International classes at the 2011 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is available via a points league encompassing both the International Stairway and International Trial competitions.

The British Showjumping Business Partnership has been created with a view of bringing like-minded companies and individuals together. Focused on creating an environment which will allow investors to form new business relationships and obtain exposure within the sport it also assists the sport to meet its own performance pathway objectives. These are a few of the organisations that have been brought together by the Business Partnership scheme.