Oliver Fletcher and Temple Rebus win the International Stairway at The Royal Berkshire County Show
Monday 17 September 2018
Oliver Fletcher got the 2018/19 British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway season off to a flying start with victory at Royal Berkshire County Show on Temple Rebus.
Only three riders from the twenty starters posted first round clears over course-designer Phil Ashworth’s 13-fence track, and they were joined by the two fastest four-faulters to make a jump-off of five.
Oliver – newly crowned dual under 16 and under 21 champion at the British Showjumping National Championships last month – maintained his form and, as the quickest rider in the first round, drew the advantageous final draw in the jump-off. There was no doubt to the winner as Oliver, 15, outpaced all his older counterparts to take victory by 1.57 seconds on the British-bred Temple Tamability x Polydor 11-year-old Temple Rebus.
Mark Edwards lead on his home-bred 12-year-old Tinkers Tale – the only other double clear – was short-lived and they dropped to second place.
Royal Berkshire County Show – 16 September 2018
British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway results
1st Oliver Fletcher & Temple Rebus – 0/0 – 47.10 seconds
2nd Mark Edwards & Tinkers Tale – 0/0 – 48.67 seconds
3rd Helen Tredwell & Larksong – 0/4 – 49.25 seconds
4th Paul Bevan & Deangelo II – 4/0 – 49.39 seconds
5th Mennell Watson & Whisper in the Wind – 4/4 – 46.57 seconds
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results
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.
