Mark Edwards lands his second International Stairway victory of the season at South of England
Tuesday 13 June 2023
Mark Edwards continued with his phenomenal form to take the International Stairway at South of England with Marlene Edwards’ Flying Tinker II.
“He’s so consistent now, on-form at the moment and a super little horse, Marlene is very pleased,” said Mark.
Mark had already headed the Area Trial with Dillinger NE and came back to take the major class of the show in speedy style.
Three of the original 18 competitors posted initial clears over course-designer Ben Townley’s 12-fence 1.50m track and they were joined by the two fastest four-faulters carrying their faults and going in reverse order of merit.
“The course was quite tough and coupled with the heat as well, it caught a couple out towards the end of the course but Flying Tinker jumped well,” said Mark.
Clear rounds won out at the end of the day, Mark flying into the top spot on the Tinkers Tale 12-year-old – bred by his father Martyn before being sold to Marlene – with an impressive four seconds in hand. Ben Walker supplied the only other double clear on Creevy Pacino Cruise to take second place while Nicole Lockhead Anderson lowered one rail the jump-off to slot Chatondo into third.
“I was last to go which gave us a great advantage. Ben jumped his round just before me so I knew exactly what I had to do and kept it nice and smooth to beat him by a few seconds,” said Mark.
Mark now has four horses in the top six of the leaderboard after three legs but Helen Tredwell tops the table with an eight point lead on Independence TN. There are four more legs to go – Royal Highland, Royal Norfolk, Great Yorkshire and New Forest & Hants.
South of England – Sunday, 11 June 2023
International Stairway
1st Mark Edwards & Flying Tinker II – 0/0 - 47.66 seconds
2nd Ben Walker & Creevy Pacino Cruise – 0/0 - 51.65 seconds
3rd Nicole Lockhead Anderson & Chatondo – 0/4 - 51.20 seconds
4th Joe Fernyhough & Calcourt Particle – 4/0 - 51.35 seconds
5th Helen Tredwell & Independence TN – 4/0 - 53.57 seconds
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: Joyce Holland-Gladwish 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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