Edwina Tops-Alexander & Fellow Castlefield.

© LGCT/Stefano Grasso

Edwina Tops-Alexander & Fellow Castlefield enjoy success in Sweden

Edwina Tops-Alexander has jumped to second place in the CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Stockholm, Sweden, riding her new horse, Fellow Castlefield. The pair also claimed victory in the Global Champions League teams event as part of Valkenswaard United.

Full details below….

Hello Brash! Scott takes spectacular Stockholm win but Fredricson has 41 point LGCT ranking lead

Scott Brash and Edwina Tops-Alexander delivered a nail-biting climax to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Stockholm with a sensational jump-off in the City’s stunning and historic Olympic Stadium.

Scott and Hello Jefferson seized victory in Sweden with Edwina Tops-Alexander finishing second on brand new ride Fellow Castlefield with Spencer Smith claiming his first LGCT podium in third on Quibelle.

Making history Scott has a record breaking 13 LGCT Grand Prix wins to his name. Brash was thrilled to also have qualified for the prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in November and rocketed up the overall LGCT ranking to second place with Peder Fredricson still leading and Edwina Tops-Alexander now sitting in third place.

Smiling after his extraordinary win Scott said: "I’m delighted with the win, I thought Jefferson was amazing today. He has so much quality and I finally feel our partnership coming through and I feel there is no Grand Prix this horse can’t win. We just missed out in Madrid and I was thinking it was going to be another unlucky year again, but it's great to be part of the exciting Super Grand Prix."

"It was an amazing crowd, especially when the Swedish guys ride they really get behind them and it’s great to feel that bit of atmosphere again at the shows, it brings the best out in the competitors."

Speaking about moving up the overall season rankings and trying to secure more points Scott said: "It is a big year with the Olympics but the GCT shows are right up there so we will be traveling the world with the circuit."

It was an exceptional evening in front of enthusiastic Swedish fans in the beautiful capital city as the world’s best riders and horses went into combat in the Olympic Stadium where the Games were staged in 1912. As the Championship continues at a flat out pace Stockholm hosted the fifth leg of the LGCT and GCL series in 2021 with momentum hotting up in the global team and individual championships races.

All the Irish riders wore yellow armbands during the LGCT Grand Prix in memory of 15 year old Tiggy Hancock, who passed away this week after a fall from her pony, a touching tribute to the bright young star on the equestrian circuit.

Uliano Vezzani’s tough but fair 1.60m course caught out some worlds top talents. The delicate Longines triple combination placed strategically uphill fell multiple times while the 2 meter wide triple bar fence meant the combinations had to have pinpoint accuracy in order to clear it.

A highlight was first to go young talent Micheal Pender who looked set for a clear round until the final fence fell from the lightest of touches from HHS Burnchurch to the plank. But the fast four faults secured him fifth place overall and highest career result to date.

The pressure got to the Swedish riders in front of their home crowd as Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Henrik von Eckermann, Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli all had one down while local hero Peder Fredricson lost it at the last two fences to finish with 8 faults in the first round.

It was a thrilling, drama-filled four way jump-off at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm. First to go young American rider Spencer Smith set the pace with Quibelle owned by New York Empire team owner and rider Georgina Bloobmberg by pushing to the Longines double. It was too risky and the back rail came crashing down adding an early 4 faults. Then slicing the Agria upright and taking a stride out to the last he crossed through the finish timers in 39.58 seconds to come home on a fast four.

Next up Carlos Lopez and G & C Arrayan launched out of the corner to the first fence causing him to get too flat and have a strong fault at the word go. Speeding up to try and finish faster than Smith and guarantee a spot on the podium, Lopez pulled off the inside turn saving seconds, but he crashed through the final fence after getting too long to the upright leaving him on 8 faults in 40.29 seconds.

The penultimate combination of 12-time LGCT Grand Prix winner Scott Brash was looking to make it 13 on Hello Jefferson. It was stunning jumping as the quick but careful gelding flew through the air taking it all in his stride. Brash was smart and kept the round smooth and tight without too much risk to fly home in 39.81 seconds and as the first double clear.

Last to go was Edwina Tops-Alexander riding new ride Fellow Castlefield looked like long time partners as they were faster at the split time mid course. But hopes were dashed as she added to the last costing crucial milliseconds and they had to settle for second place today as a clear in 40.87 seconds.

After just missing out on the win in Madrid it was a fairytale ending to Super Saturday for Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson.


Valkenswaard United surge extends formidable GCL lead after sensational Stockholm win

Valkenswaard United duo Edwina Tops-Alexander and home hero Peder Fredricson defeated pole sitters London Knights in an exhilarating battle at GCL Stockholm Presented by Fastator.

There was a fantastic atmosphere in Sweden’s historic Olympic Stadium as today’s sporting drama unfolded in front of a limited but hugely enthusiastic crowd of 500 spectators.

Unexpectedly for the London Knights team, Ben Maher and Olivier Philippaerts could not holdon to their lead in today’s GCL showdown, dropping off the podium as another shock result played out under enormous pressure in the fifth stage of the season.

United put in a flawless performance, taking their third win of the season as they continue their charge on the overall GCL ranking - a thumping 29 points ahead of their nearest rivals.

Second today went to last week's winners Monaco Aces’ impressive duo of Billy Twomey and Jérôme Guery, with Philipp Weishaupt and Ludger Beerbaum taking the third spot on the podium for Berlin Eagles.

Smiling in front of his home fans Fredricson explained: "It really is great to pick up these points, we have had a good season so far, I am really, really happy to be in Valkenswaard United and couldn’t have a better teammate."

A delighted Edwina said "It feels amazing to be here in Sweden riding with one of the best riders in the world Peder, it is a big privilege for me and it is just amazing to be at an event with fantastic spectators and great sport."

In the overall GCL ranking, Valkenswaard United have now extended their lead and sit on 132 points. The Shanghai Swans hold on to second place with 103 points, just 6 points ahead of Monaco Aces with 97 on their tally.

As the sun started its slow descent across the arena, the atmosphere could be cut with a knife as the world’s best horses and riders fought with every ounce of their being for their teams. Paying tribute to the young talented Irish eventer 15 year old Tiggy Hancock, who sadly passed away after a fall training earlier this week, all Irish riders rode with a yellow armband while competing today.

The joker fence today in Uliano Vezzani’s course was unexpectedly the first fence, which fell the most throughout the competition.  Vezzani gave riders the options of inside or outside turns, knowing that the combined time could play a huge part in the results of the close-knit field today.

Miami Celtics

First rider for the Celtics, Jorge Matte Capdevila kept his mount Destiny van Schore for the second round of action in Stockholm. Keen to redeem after their faults yesterday, Jorge opted for a slower, careful approach to the course today. But the GCL oxer fell along with the wide liverpool towards the end of the course - adding another 8 faults to their overnight score of 32 faults. Johnny Pals made a horse change to Fernando, they had 4 faults to bring the team total up to huge 44 faults in Stockholm.

Scandinavian Vikings

The home team didn’t have luck on their side today as young gun Evelina Tovek picked up an unusual 8 faults on her talented mare Dalila de la Pomme. Knowing only a clear round would help the team Henrik von Eckermann set off at quite a pace on King Edward and rode a flawless fast clear to keep the team on 28 faults overall.


Madrid In Motion

There was heartache for Maikel van der Vleuten and Kamara van't Heike when the first fence fell immediately putting them on the back foot for the rest of the round. The drama continued when the pair were unsettled coming into the GCL double unseating Maikel and eliminating the team straight away. Riding as an individual Michael G Duffy cruised Lapuccino round to finish on an unlucky 4 faults after the back rail fell off the Agria oxer.

Hamburg Giants

Bart Bles and Kriskras DV were the first to face the track for the Hamburg Giants, and the Dutch rider placed his horse with pinpoint precision ahead of every fence. They produced the clear round needed for the team, handing the baton to teammate Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida and Delvaux. It was just the one down for the Portuguese rider as the Giants finished with 20 faults overall.

Doha Falcons

On great form recently Bassem Mohammed and Gunder got unsettled in their rhythm costing them both parts of the GCL double and immediately knocking them down the order. Trying to make up time Yuri Mansur cut the corner to the Agri oxer but Vitiki couldn't quite stretch enough, rolling it and adding 4 faults to the already large total to complete with 28 faults.

Shanghai Swans

Making her season debut on the Swans this weekend, American Margie Goldstein-Engle sped around the arena and took all the inside turns on the powerful bay Dicas. The combination showed their class and experience riding a needed clear round for the team.  It all dramatically changed when one of the longest standing members of the Swans, Pius Schwizer, had the first two fences down on WH Delilah as well as the penultimate fence causing the team to drop right down the order and finish on an unusual 24 faults.

Cannes Stars

Flying over the fences the homebred Bud Spencer looked on track for a beautiful clear with Sven Schlüsselburg, but it fell apart in the latter part of the course picking up 8 faults and handing the pressure over to the youngest rider in GCL Max Wachman. The first fence fell for the Irishman shortly followed by another as the fresh gelding Lazzaro Delle Schiave knocked it with his front feet. This landed the team on 28 faults and in the bottom end of the scoreboard.

St Tropez Pirates

The shadows caused trouble at the first fence once again as world number one Daniel Deusser also had it down on Casallvano. They finished with an unexpected 8 faults before handing over to Dani G. Waldman and Queensland E who gave it everything they could to finish with a quick smooth clear round and keeping the team on 16 faults, but in a slow time of 147.33 seconds.

New York Empire

It was a long way to go for Denis Lynch and  GC Chopin's Bushi with an early 16 faults in just the first six fences on the course putting New York Empire straight out of contention today. Empire then brought in team anchor Scott Brash who produced the goods once again on Hello Jefferson meaning the team finished on 24 faults and just outside the top 10 today.

Berlin Eagles

Making no horse or rider changes the team tactics paid off for the Eagles as they pulled off a double clear today, keeping the team on their overnight score of 8. Ludger Beerbaum and Mila opted for a slightly slower round forcing Philipp Weishaupt and Coby to go flat out from start to finish to make sure their overall time was still in contention. This proved a perfect strategy and they finished the fastest of the teams on 8 faults and took the final place on the podium.

Cascais Charms

Both members of the Cascais Charms opted for fresh horse power today as Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo brought out his top horse Evita SG Z to tackle the twisty course. They sped round the Olympic Stadium for just one down before U25 rider Jodie Hall McAteer stepped up on Salt'n Peppa. They also picked up four faults taking the team total to 16 but in a fast time of 141.3 seconds to take 7th place overall.

Monaco Aces

Jérôme Guery cruised the young grey gelding Great Britain V round taking the track in his stride delivering the all important clear and keeping the Aces in contention. Billy Twomey and Chat Botte E.D then delivered a flawless performance ensuring the team would stay on their overnight score of four faults and picking up second place on the podium.

Prague Lions

Jur Vrieling continued his clear round streak on Fiumicino van de Kalevallei as the combination flew round the course with ease and gave teammate Kellnerova a leg up. Anna Kellnerova made a horse change to Catch me If You Can Old her top horse, knowing only a clear could keep them in touch for a podium today. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be and they added 4 faults to the Lions total as they finished just shy of the podium in fourth place with 8 faults in 144.59 seconds.

Paris Panthers

Changing onto fresh horsepower Nayel Nassar and Darry Lou set off for a slow and steady clear. The tactic looked like it was going to pay off until a late fault added four to their score meaning Gregory Wathelet had to go flat out to kept the Panthers on the podium. Gregory also had one down on Picobello Full House ter Linden Z bringing the tally up to 8 faults and finishing in 5th overall.

Valkenswaard United

The crowd cheered as Swedish champion Peder Fredricson entered the arena on his striking grey Catch me not S. The pair cleared the fences but was lucky at times with a few rolls as they powered around the arena. Peder managed the hot horse perfectly, the duo finishing clear today and passing the pressure onto Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield. Needing the clear for the team Edwina and Fellow Castlefield had a sticky start to the course but kept their head and brought home yet another clear for Valkenswaard United to claim top spot for the third time this year.

London Knights

Also keeping the exact same line up as round one and feeling confident in their horse power Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue took centre stage in front of the silent arena. Under huge pressure, the pair calmly made their way around the arena, but the lightest of touches meant they added four faults to their total, handing the win the Valkenswaard United straight away. Olivier Philippaerts then had two down including the last part of the tricky Longines treble on his stallion H & M Extra, agonisingly knocking them off the podium again. The Knights finished with 12 faults and dropped 5 places to sixth place.

The Championship now heads south to the city of lights, Paris, for the 6th round of action next week.

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