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Posted by Equestrian Australia on 19/08/2013.
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Guccio third at the 2013 Monaco GCT
Stefano Grasso/GCT

Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard

Edwina Tops-Alexander finished the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard in 6th position keeping her within reach of the series leaders and this year's overall grand prize.

Partnering with Cevo Itot du Chateuau, Edwina produced a faultess first round in the main event but the combination did not progress to the  jump-off after incurring a second round jumping penalty.

Brazillian rider Alvaro de Miranda was crowned the winner of what was a competition of high drama which saw the series leader heading into the event, Christian Ahlmann of Germany, exit after the first round. View the full report, the leaderboard and results from the Valkenswaard Grand Prix on the Global Champions Tour website.

Edwina is now in sixth position in the fight for the overall series lead, trailing leader US rider Laura Kraut by 36 points.

 

 

Nineteen of world's Top 20 ready for battle of the titans

Nineteen out of the world's Top 20 riders will be competing at next weekend's Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix as the eyes of the equestrian world turn to Valkenswaard in The Netherlands.

The incredibly high calibre turnout for the latest stage of the world’s premier championship series includes the 2012 series champion Edwina Tops-Alexander  as well as Longines Global Champions Tour ranking leader and current world No1 Christian Ahlmann. The 38-year-old German has already won a staggering €254,455 in prize money this season after winning in Hamburg on Codex One and clocking up Grand Prix podium places in London (Taloubet Z) and Chantilly (Codex One).

Ahlmann’s ranking score of 189 points gives him an impressive lead over Portugal’s Luciana Diniz in 2nd place on 166 points and Laura Kraut for the USA in third on 161 points. William Funnell and Ludger Beerbaum) are both neck and neck on 138 points.

British rider and Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash is also aiming for success in Valkenswaard. Currently in 6th position on 133 points in the overall ranking Scott said: “I will have Ursula in Valkenswaard and hopefully she can put in a good performance.”

Christian Ahlmann said: “I am really happy with Codex. He has had a great season especially in Global Tour classes.” Christian lost out to the formidable Beezie Madden in the high powered jump off at the previous leg in Chantilly and Beezie will once again be turning up the heat in Valkenswaard where she won the Grand Prix in 2011.

Speaking about the event in Valkenswaard Ludger Beerbaum said it was his favourite on the circuit: “It’s a horsemanship even, great grass arena, a really great show.”

It promises to be a true battle of the show jumping titans for the 9th leg of the 2013 season. It is widely anticipated that the shake-up of the ranking will ensure a nail biting climax across the final three events of the circuit with a frantic jostling for position in Lausanne, Vienna and finally in Doha, Qatar.

Once again the event in Valkenswaard will be a magnet for the best riders in the world and a host of VIP guests and thousands of spectators. All the action will be broadcast via the exclusive Longines Global Champions Tour livestreaming service on www.globalchampionstour.com/gct-live as well as on Eurosport on Foxtel. Check the tv guide for broadcast times.

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