GCT Heads for Grand Debut in Vienna After Spectacular Swiss Leg, Where Edwina Placed Third

Global Champions Tour will saddle up tonight and head to Vienna for the 11th leg of its world class 2012 season and the circuit’s first-ever event in Austria.

A fleet of luxury horse trucks will pull out of Lausanne, Switzerland, and hit the road for Austria for the penultimate GCT of the year with the battle for the championship at fever pitch. The Grand Prix in Lausanne was one of the most dramatic of the season with US rider Laura Kraut in blistering form on her Olympic gold medal horse Cedric to win the €94,050 first prize and a beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson placed second and Edwina Tops-Alexander came third. See full results here.

The Swiss leg saw Rolf-Göran Bengtsson dramatically close in on Edwina Tops-Alexander’s lead on the GCT ranking board with only five points separating the two star riders.

It means the Grand Prix in Vienna next Saturday will be packed with pressure for the leading riders as they set their sights on the championship. Rolf and Edwina both made clear their determination to fight to the finish setting up a thrilling climax to the top-level series.

Of the standings, Edwina Tops-Alexander said "It is really close (the GCT Championship). I knew tonight I had to have a very good performance. There is still a long way to go, two more competitions left. The season is more exciting than last year and I’m really happy I’ve been in the lead since the beginning. My horse is in great shape. Laura rode an amazing round. This is the first GCT in Switzerland and it has been fantastic. Incredible facilities and I would like to thank Jaeger-LeCoultre for sponsoring here tonight."

Quick Links

• See all news from the Global Champions Tour Switzerland at www.globalchampionstour.com
• View showjumping horses for sale on Horsezone

Photo: Sportfot/GCT