Aussies riding high leading in to Regional Qualifier

By: Michelle Cook/EA

The Aussie team is looking to capitalise on recent success heading in to the Regional Qualifier for the Rio Olympic Games that gets underway tonight in Hagen, Germany.  

Team Captain and dual Olympian Edwina Tops-Alexander claimed a spectacular victory in the recent CSI5* feature class of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, riding the horse she’ll take in to Hagen, Lintea Tequila.

At the same event her team mate Olympian Scott Keach also claimed a podium finish with a third place in the CSI2* - riding his team horse Fedor.

Tops-Alexander and Keach will be joined by London Olympian Julia Hargreaves riding her Olympic horse Vedor and former Australian Showjumping Champion Jamie Kermond and his horse Quite Cassini.  

Kermond and Quite Cassini recently enjoyed success in Hagen, placing third in the CSI4* Grand Prix. 

The strong performances have given the Aussies a solid boost as they come face to face with teams from Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines in the Regional Qualifier with the two best teams securing their spots for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Australian Team Chef D'Equipe Stevie Macken said the Australian team was feeling good and focused on the task at hand. 

"Today all horses looked healthy and the riders in positive frames of mind and looking forward to a good day of competition for the final.

"Preparation to the event has gone very well. Edwina, Julia and Scott had a very good preparation at Valkenswaard the weekend before, all jumping clear rounds. Scott was 3rd in the 2* Grand Prix and Edwina won the 1.55m class on the Sunday. Julia jumped clear in the Friday 5* class. Jamie Kermond jumped a really good round in the Grand Prix in Dinard the prior week and has been in good form all summer."

Australian team Captain Tops-Alexander said the team is ready. 

"Australia is in a fortunate position as we drew last team to go and this gives us a bit more edge. We are only focusing on what we are doing right now and to have the best result here and do our best to qualify."

Competition gets underway 9.00pm Tuesday Australian time, 1.00pm local time. Live streaming of the event is available at https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en/live

(Photo of Edwina Tops-Alexander by Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

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