25 November 2012
Historic victory for equestrian’s Tops-Alexander
Australian Show Jumper Edwina Tops-Alexander has notched up a historic victory overnight, winning the Global Champions Tour (GCT) championship for a second consecutive year.
The 38 year old, who grew up in Sydney and now resides in Europe, has led the 2012 season from the outset and was one of only two riders in contention for this year’s title heading into the overnight season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Edwina’s victory is a historic win as it is the first time that a competitor has won the world’s most prestigious show jumping competition two years running.
The two-time Olympian attributed the momentous victory to her 16 year old chestnut stallion Cevo Itot du Chateau.
“I am very happy, my horse Itot been fantastic.
“He was amazing last year and this year he was even better. It has been a long year and I have to thank my horse as he has been so consistent,” Edwina said.
Going into the 12th and final leg of this year’s series Edwina was on equal points with Swedish rider Rolf-Goran Bengtsson. Both riders encountered difficulty at the same fence in Saturday’s Grand Prix and incurred four jumping penalties. With the riders tied for points the title was awarded to Edwina on a count back. Her victory in the opening round in Doha, Qatar proved to be the difference.
Edwina has yet to decide if her pint-sized partner will return to defend the title in 2013.
“With Itot the last two years of his career have been the best, so you never know.
“I am fortunate I have a lot of other very good horses coming along that can help Itot. This year was a very big year. On top of the GCT he had the Olympics but there is no reason to stop when he is going so well,” she said.
Along with the title, Australia’s top ranked show jumper picks up €294,500 in prize money boosting her GCT earnings to over €2 million.
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