EQUESTRIAN: Australia’s leading Jumping rider Edwina Tops-Alexander finished third in the Bordeaux round of the FEI World Cup (Western European League) at the weekend.

It is Tops-Alexander’s second podium finish in as many weeks and her consistent form late in the season has given her a boost in the FEI World Cup rankings ahead of next month’s Final in Gothenberg, Sweden.

With Bordeaux hosting the last of the qualifying rounds, the world’s leading riders travelled to the French city in an effort to pick-up valuable points and secure their start in the Final.

Riding Caretina De Joter, Tops-Alexander produced an identical result in Bordeaux to what she did in Zurich just a week earlier, qualifying for the jump-off with a clear first round and then producing the third fastest clear round in the jump-off. 

With seven combinations producing two clear rounds, speed played important factor in determining the final placings.

“My plan was to keep everything fast and smooth,” said Tops-Alexander.

“My horse spends a lot of time in the air so that’s where we lost time, but I’m very happy with her.”

French riders gave the host nation double reason to celebrate with Kevin Staut (Reveur de Hurtebise HDC) winning the class and Simon Delestre (Qlassic Bois Margot) finishing runner-up.

The FEI World Cup Final will be held in Sweden from March 23-28.

Equestian Australia