Michael Duffy & EFS Top Contender claim the win in the South of England Show leg of the International Stairway
Monday 12 June 2017
From a talented field of twenty five starters, Michael Duffy claimed top spot in fine style in the International Stairway at the South of England Show on Friday.
With seven combinations jumping a first round clear, it was all still to play for as they went forward to the jump off. Michael, based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex picked up the pace on board EFS Top Contender, an 11 year-old chestnut stallion owned by Graham Dalton to secure their place at the top of the leader board. From third draw, Michael steered EFS Top Contender to a foot perfect double clear in 47.55 seconds.
Timothy Page from Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk and the 14 year-old chestnut gelding, DUC D’Arsouilles owned by Justin Skinner took second place after leaving all the fences standing to claim a double clear. This partnership stopped the clock in 48.99 seconds.
With the final double clear of the competition, Cressy Neads from Haslemere, Surrey slipped into third place with Hill House Equine Ltd’s 10 year-old bay gelding, Chintan. The pair put forward a strong challenge in 50.35 seconds.
The International Stairway takes place across a number of county shows where winning combinations accrue League Points that count towards the Final which takes place at the British Showjumping National Championships in August at Stoneleigh Park. The series culminates with a high profile championships where three Horse of the Year Show International Wild Cards are allocated as well as it being where the sports National Champion is crowned.
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