Australia’s Top Showjumper Claims a Podium Place in Cannes

Edwina and Cevo Itot du Chateau (photo:  Stefano Grasso/GCT)

Less than 40 days from the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, one of Australia’s most popular athletes, Show Jumper Edwina Tops-Alexander has shown great form overnight taking third place in the fifth round of the Global Champions Tour in Cannes (FRA).

In doing so, Tops-Alexander retains the overall Global Champions Tour series lead, a position that she has held since the opening round in Doha, Qatar.   

Tops-Alexander and her star chestnut gelding, Cevo Itot du Chateau, were one of only three combinations to jump a double clear round in the Cannes Grand Prix. They went on to produce a clear round in the three strong jump-off but their time of 34.89 was a fraction off the pace and placed them third on the podium behind Gerco Schröder (NED) and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE).

Speaking about the result she said: “So close but so far. Itôt is in great form and if someone had told me I would be third I would have been very happy. We are all here to try to win. Maybe I could have done one less stride to the last, but I am very happy.”

Tops-Alexander is currently ranked eighth in the world. She is also the only female and only Australian in the world top ten. 

The Holland based Australian rider has already secured her second Olympic Games berth and now has her sights firmly set on Olympic glory.