Top first final for Tops-Alexander

Edwina Tops-Alexander has booked a start in the final round at the individual show jumping final.

The Australian show jumping team captain and her mare Lintea Tequila are in the best position possible heading in to this afternoon’s medal deciding round after producing a clear first round. It was one of 16 clear rounds of the morning session

“Today she’s really good,” said Tops-Alexander of her mare.

“She gets better as she goes because she still keeps that energy but she stays a bit cooler.

“Now I try to relax, stay focused and jump another clear this afternoon.”

Meanwhile, teammate Matt Williams missed out on a round B berth after finishing equal 28th with eight jumping penalties.

Williams was disappointed after the round.

“I was having to make up time in places, that’s why I did the seven strides after the plank and he just got a little bit flat there and then I thought, ‘okay I need to keep going for the time’,” Williams explained.

“I probably could have had an extra stride out of the corner and balanced him. I thought he jumped the last two jumps great. Those two fences in a row I just had him a bit run off his legs, really.

“I didn’t think it was as difficult as the other courses. It’s just that we’ve got big jumps and it’s the end of a week. There’s not many related lines out there. It’s just a matter of keeping your head out there now. We’re in a final.”

When asked about his horse Valinski S, Williams said he still feels fresh.

“He’s still giving me everything he has,” Williams added.

“He doesn’t stop fighting for me. He surprised me this morning already, it was a nice feeling to have a horse that’s full of energy at the end of this.”

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Today’s final is contested over two rounds. 27 combinations from this morning’s round will progress to round B starting at 1.30pm (2.30am AEST).

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AOC Media Team