Gemma Ellison takes her maiden win in the International Stairway at Royal Norfolk Show
Monday 01 July 2024
The penultimate International Stairway League took place last week at the Royal Norfolk Show where Gemma Ellison was crowned the fifth winner of the 2024 series, riding her own Helsinki VDL.
“It is my first year following the Stairway series as I have another mare who is going nicely at this level,” commented Gemma. “I am super chuffed with him, they’re always strong classes and it is a lot for the horses to cope with at the county shows.
“It is a lovely arena at Norfolk, but he went into the ring a bit looky as there was a bigger crowd for the second day, I think he was a bit surprised to see the crowd.”
Fourteen combinations tackled the 1.50m course, with four advancing to the jump-off. Last to go, and with Phillip Miller jumping the only steady double clear so far, Gemma put her faith in the 12-year-old gelding to leave all the poles in place, and the pair stormed home with a double clear in a time of 49.92 seconds, 4.53 seconds faster than second place Phillip and Don Royale.
Adrian Speight slotted into third with long term partner Millfield Baloney and Helen Tredwell took fourth with Independence TN. Gemma also picked up fifth with her other ride, Miss Conthargos TW, although she opted not to contend the jump-off having had four faults in the first round.
Talking about her win, Gemma said: “The course was tough, which was to be expected at a County Show, but he gave it everything he had, and I think he jumped better in the jump-off. We were last to go so I knew if he went at his normal JO pace, if he left all the fences up, we had a chance of nipping ahead of Phillip [Miller] as he was the only double clear at that point.”
With placings in previous legs of the Stairway Series, Gemma and Helsinki have been knocking on the door of a win: “It was a lot to ask of him as he has not jumped much at this height, but I am over the moon with him,” added Gemma. “This win felt special as I’ve ridden him since he was seven, he’s 12 now, and we’ve put a lot into him. It’s as if he knew it counted too and I think it was nice for the crowd to watch a competitive jump -off.”
Find the full International Stairway league here:
https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/rankings/lists/International-Stairway-Series. The next International Stairway competition takes place at South of England Show from 7th – 9th June.
Royal Norfolk Show – Thursday, 27 June 2024
International Stairway Series
1st – Gemma Ellison and Helsinki VDL – 0/0 49.92
2nd – Phillip Miller and Don Royale – 0/0 54.45
3rd – Adrian Speight and Millfield Baloney – 4/0 47.67
4th – Helen Tredwell and Independence TN – 0/4 48.32
5th – Gemma Ellison and Miss Conthargos TW – 0/-
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image credit: TopShots Photography
