Tops-Alexander wins Miami equestrian event

Australia's Edwina Tops-Alexander has won equestrian's Global Champions Tour event in Miami to boost her chances of qualifying for a third Olympics.

Two-time Olympian Edwina Tops-Alexander boosted her chances of making Australia's equestrian team for Rio with a win the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Miami Beach.

Tops-Alexander, a two-time Global Champions Tour Series Champion (2011-2012), outsmarted a 50-strong class which included eight of the world's top 10 showjumping riders.

The victory gives the Sydney rider a good crack at securing an early nomination for the Australian Olympic team.

"The first round I had a great feeling, everything went really smooth," said Tops-Alexander.

"I was in a good position being last to go and I had the chance to watch everyone - that's always an advantage - and I just went as fast as I could.

"I'm obviously really happy. It's been a while since I've won a Global Tour Grand Prix."

Riding the 13-year-old mare Lintea Tequila, Tops-Alexander was one of six riders to produce two clear jumping rounds, progressing to the jump-off in which her time of 34.59 was fastest.

Tops-Alexander had the advantage of being last to go in the jump-off where she rode a perfect round, crossing the line a full second ahead of the second-placed US rider McLain Ward with Germany's Christian Ahlmann finished third.

Tops-Alexander now leads the 2016 LGCT rankings ahead of the tour's debut in Mexico City April 15-17.


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Source: AAP



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