Tim Stockdale Rides Fleur De L’Aube to Victory in Royal Norfolk Show Leg of the International Stairway
Friday 01 July 2016
As this year’s final draws ever closer, it was Northamptonshire’s Tim Stockdale who took home the top spot in the International Stairway held at the Royal Norfolk Show yesterday.
A technical course designed by Kelvin Bywater posed some tough questions for the twenty-nine keen starters and this resulted in just seven jumping clears being posted in the first round, with two combinations clocking up some unfortunate time faults.
Riding Marjorie Glasgow’s 11 year old bay mare, Fleur De L’Aube, Tim was amongst this number and he booked his place in the jump off after delivering the fastest clear in the first round. Drawn last to go in the jump off, Tim and Fleur De L’Aube put in a sterling performance to knock nearly three seconds off their nearest rival’s time and they produced their double clear in 47.59 seconds.
Following on from last week’s second place at The Royal Highland Show, Helen Tredwell proved her consistency to yet again take second place on board Alan Tredwell’s 11 year-old mare, Larksong. Taking a steadier line, this pair crossed the finish line in 50.47 seconds.
Third place was snapped up by Emma O’Dwyer riding HHS Figero, a 10 year-old bay gelding owned by Joanne O’Dwyer. This pair had their work cut out after being drawn first to go in the final jump off but they held their own to produce a double clear in 52.11 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.
