Sammie Jo Coffin Wins Opening 2013 International Stairway
Friday 17 May 2013
Sammie Jo Coffin opened her International Stairway challenge with a convincing victory on James Luker's nine year-old stallion Zig Zag in the first of the 2013 series supported by the British Showjumping Business Partnership at the Devon County Show.
“We ended last season with a win in the Stairway at Pembroke so it’s great to come back out and confirm our consistency at this level,” said the Cornish-based rider who has produced James Luker’s 16.2hh son of Concorde from a complete novice.
A 28-strong field set out over Paul Connor’s up-to-height track and it was an early line consisting of an oxer to the water jump followed by a double of uprights which proved influential in a test of accuracy, control and balance.
Sixth draw saw Sammie Jo and Zig Zag claim their place in the jump-off with a flawless performance only to be matched by Tim Davies and Salome II from the latter end of the draw.
With five places available against the clock and time coming to the fore in the first round, Carron Nicol (Mr Visto), Harriet Nuttall (A Touch Imperious) and James Hughes (Panacee) went through to the second phase carrying one time penalty.
Penultimate draw saw Tim playing it safe on Sarah Chenivix-Trench’s Salome II maintaining a clean sheet for second place. “I decided not to chase the clock and left the door wide open for Sammie who thoroughly deserved to win,” he said.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” said James Luker, who juggles his career as a farrier with running his own Roseway Stud at St Day in Cornwall. He acquired Zig Zag as a two-year-old from James and Alison McIlwraith of the Solland Stud, Devon and the stallion is Life Approved with the SHB (GB) and licensed with the Anglo European Studbook (AES). “Ziggy’s been busy at stud and this was his first major show on grass. It was the biggest track of his career and our main aim is to prove his consistency at this level. He’s qualified for the Queen’s Cup and we’re waiting to hear from Hickstead to see if he’s been accepted for the international shows.”
Paul Connor said: “It was rewarding to see a good number of our younger riders together with several up and coming horses jumping some nice rounds. The going was good and everything was right to ask the questions required at this level of competition.”
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