HELEN TREDWELL WINS FIRST INTERNATIONAL STAIRWAY
Monday 24 May 2010
Helen Tredwell from Finmere in Buckingham took the top honours in the first International Stairway of the 2010 season, held at the Devon County Show on Friday afternoon.
Riding her own British bred fourteen year-old chestnut mare Opportunity B, Helen produced one of only two first round clears and then went on to clock the fastest four faults in the jump off snatching victory from recent Balmoral Grand Prix winner and last year’s International Stairway Champion, Vicky Tulloch from Darlington in County Durham. Vicky riding her own eleven year-old bay mare Soliegette also lowered a pole in the jump-off but crossing the finishing line almost three seconds slower than Helen, had to settle for runner-up spot. Helen also secured third place aboard her second ride, the eleven year-old black mare Naomi V.
British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway
Devon County Show – Friday 21st May
1st Helen Tredwell and Opportunity B – 0/4 55.65 secs
2nd Vicky Tulloch and Soliegette – 0/4 58.26 secs
3rd Helen Tredwell and Naomi V – 4/4 53.43 secs
4th Joe Whitaker and Kool Kaiser – 4/8 50.97 secs
5th Simon Buckley and Worrior van het Dingeshof – 4/8 51.75 secs
6th Anna Edwards and Unique IX - 5
7th Geoff Luckett and Brickfield Boy - 8
8th Abbie Squires and Enrique - 8
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.
Shows hosting the International Stairway Series for 2010 are:
Suffolk County 2 – 3 June
South of England 10 – 12 June
Royal Highland 24 – 27 June
Royal Highland 24 – 27 June
Royal Norfolk 30 Jun – 1 July
Great Yorkshire Show 13 – 15 July
New Forest & Hants 27 – 29 July
Pembrokeshire 17 – 19 August
Royal County of Berkshire 18 – 19 September
In addition for 2010 a 'Wild Card' to compete in the International classes at the 2010 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is available via a points league encompassing both the International Stairway and International Trial competitions.