Chris Smith takes top honours in the International Stairway at Royal Highland Show
Wednesday 26 June 2024
The International Stairway at the Royal Highland Show this weekend saw a fourth winner of the 2024 series crowned; this time victory went to Chris Smith and Thomas Dunning’s Harthill Mexico.
Nineteen combinations took on the 1.50m course, with nine skilfully jumping the necessary clear to advance to the jump-off, Chris claiming two of the rides. Third to jump-off, Chris left nothing to chance and steered the 11-year-old gelding around the course to jump double clear in a time that could not be caught. Phillip Miller and Helen Tredwell also jumped double clear, riding Don Royale and Independence TN respectively, but could not quite match the speed of Chris and Harthill Mexico.
Adrian Speight and Millfield Baloney, winners of the leg at Suffolk County Show, slotted into fourth, with Fraser Reed and Westbank Rio picking up fifth, four faults apiece.
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 Highland Show – Friday, 21 June 2024
International Stairway Series
1st – Chris Smith and Harthill Mexico – 0/0 52.90
2nd – Phillip Miller and Don Royale – 0/0 53.79
3rd – Helen Tredwell and Independence TN – 0/0 54.12
4th – Adrian Speight and Millfield Baloney – 0/4 53.85
5th – Fraser Reed and Westbank Rio – 0/4 54.65
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image credit: Sinclair Photography
