William takes the win!

Today saw the sixth leg of the British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway take place at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. With thirty one top British riders starting round Bob Ellis’ up to height course the spectators enjoyed a competitive class.

 

It was the first fence and the combination that seemed to cause the most problems leaving only six combinations jumping the first round clear. First to go into the jump off was Kent based David McPherson on his first of two rides. Being a pathfinder in the jump off is never easy but partnering his own ten year old grey stallion Leonitas, David put in a good jump off time of 54.22 seconds but lowering just one pole left him with four faults.

 

Following David into the arena was James Davenport from Cheshire riding his own ten year old grey gelding Carrento Tzar. Although the second fence fell James kept the pressure on coming home in a time of 52.61 seconds which put him into the lead. This however was short lived as Keith Shore also from Cheshire came into the arena riding his own eight year old bay gelding Mystic Hurricane. Keith rode a superb round coming home clear in a time of 58.23 seconds which although was a beatable time meant the remaining competitors had to jump clear to beat him.

 

Going in to the arena for the second time was David McPherson, this time riding the nine year old gelding Billy Bishop, jointly own by himself and Elmgestut ‘Drei Eichen’ GMbH. Using his previous round to his advantage David jumped clear in a time of 55.74 seconds temporarily putting him in first place.

 

It was Surrey based William Funnell that managed to take the honours in this class riding Julie Slade’s eight year old chestnut gelding Billy Angelo. Putting in a foot perfect round in 51.56 seconds William fought off all competition.

 

Last to go in the jump off was Louise Whitaker from Huddersfield riding her father’s (John) and Mandy Hall’s ten year old grey mare Dazzle II. Louise was up on the time but unfortunately lowering the second to last fence to come home with four faults in a time of 49.60 seconds left her in fourth place.

 

 

 

 

 

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 2 – 3 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.

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; Marsh, Next, Champion and Chester Racecourse.

 

Further information on how to join the Business Partnership and to assist with the delivery of medals for Great Britain can be on the British Showjumping website www.britishshowjumping.co.uk