Tops-Alexander wins Al Shaqab CSI5* Grand Prix

Edwina Tops-Alexander has won the lucrative Al Shaqab Grand Prix CSI5* in Doha (Qatar) overnight, edging out the world's leading riders to win 165,000 euros in prizemoney.

A jump-off between six combinations decided the final placings with Tops-Alexander and her mare Lintea Tequila producing three clear jumping rounds over the course of the Grand Prix.

A field of 42 started the Grand Prix with 18 proceeding to a second round, including London 2012 Olympic champion Steve Guerdat (SUI) and London silver medallist Gerco Schroder (NED).

As they were the slowest of the second round, Tops-Alexander and her 12 year old mare Lintea Tequila took to the arena first for the jump-off and their clear round in a time of 38:86 would prove to be unbeatable.

Only one other combination could produce a clear round in the jump-off and that was Swiss rider Martin Fuchs with the horse Clooney 51, but this pair's round was too conservative and their time of 48.34 relegated them to second.

This is Tops-Alexander's first major victory with the horse Lintea Tequila although the mare has been a regular partner to the two-time Olympian for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping series (Western European League), helping her to finish sixth in the standings after the regular round.

"I am extremely happy to win here.

"I am very fortunate to have a horse like this. At first she didn't show how fast she can go. She jumped so good, straight from the start," she said.

Also among the field was Chris Chugg's 2010 World Equestrian Games mount Vivant, who finished in 9th place with his Ukraine rider Cassio Rivetti.

Tops-Alexander will now return to her Europe base to prepare for the FEI World Cup Jumping Final which is to be held in April in Las Vegas.

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