Edwina Tops-Alexander has had to endure frustrating spells in recent times after having come second best multiple times. But yesterday, the two-time former Gobal Champions Tour winner finally embraced victory as the Australian clinched the feature class on the penultimate day of the QNB Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship. There was joy for Qatar too, as home riders Rashid Towaim al-Marri and Obaid Ali al-Sanari emerged triumphant in 135 and 120cm class respectively.
It was Edwina though, who stole the limelight at the Qatar Federation Federation’s outdoor arena. The 43-year-old Monaco resident not only won the Qualifying competition for the FEI World Cup 145cm class, but she finished third too. The riders are allowed to participate with two horses. Edwina topped the timesheets with her eight-year-old bay Veronese Teamjoy as the pair flew around the course under the lights. Their fastest time of 72.51 fetched the Aussie €15,450 in prize money.
She was back again in Inca Boy Van T Vianahof, another eight-year-old bay. Edwina did not have the same success with Inca Boy Van T Vianahof as she did with Veronese Teamjoy but their time of 75.32 was enough for third place finish. Vladimir Tuganov continued his fine form in Qatar, as the Russian veteran took the second spot. The 56-year-old Tuganov mounting his trusted stallion Suspens Floreval impressed in a time of 74.13 secs. Tuganov had finished third on Thursday and will be a strong contender, along with Edwina, for today’s Grand Prix title, the feature event of the Al Rayyan championship.
Qatar’s Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi finished fourth, while Olympic rider and last week’s winner at Qatar International Show jumping championship Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani was sixth with his ally First Devision. It was a disappointing day for another ace Qatari rider Bassem Mohamed, who finished 12th with Gunder, having incurred four penalty points.
In the 135cm class, Rashid Towaim al-Marri took a narrow win. The Qatari rider combined with seven-year-old gelding Chupa Chups 12 to fastest time of 35.96 secs.
Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi, riding under the FEI flag, posed a major threat to al-Marri with his 11-year-old Loki Doki. But the pair had to settle for second place having taken 36.17 secs to finish their round. The third place went to Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi on Siec Cosmos
Wijngaardhoeve Z.
Meanwhile, home rider Obaid Ali al-Sanari won the 120cm class with Quentin. Uzbekistan’s Saidamirkhon Turgunboev (Casanova S.C.H) was second, followed by Qatar’s Ahmed Mohammed al-Badi (Latino) in third.

Results
Qualifying competition for the FEI World Cup Max. 145cm | Prize Money: €61,800
1. Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) Veronese Teamjoy. Time: 72.51 secs. Prize money: €15,450
2. Vladimir Tuganov (Russia) Suspens Floreval. 74.13 secs. €12,360
3. Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) Inca Boy Van T Vianahof. 75.32 secs. €9,270
Table A, Against the clock with Jump Off FEI Art. 238.2.2 | Max. 135cm | Prize Money: €10,000
1. Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Qatar) Chupa Chups 12.Time: 35.96 secs. Prize money: €2,500
2. Ali al-Khorafi (FEI) Loki Doki. 36.17 secs. €2,000
3. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Qatar) Siec Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve Z. 36.41 secs. €1,500
(Class. 4) Table A, Against the clock with Jump Off FEI Art. 238.2.2 | Max. 120cm | Prize Money: €6,000
1. Obaid Ali al-Sanari (Qatar) Quentin. Time: 31.62 secs. Prize money: €1,500
2 Saidamirkhon Turgunboev (Uzbekistan) Casanova S.C.H. 33.59 secs. €1,200
3 Ahmed Mohammed al-Badi (Qatar) Latino. 33.64 secs. €900
Today’s Schedule
3pm: Table A, Against the clock 130/135cm
5pm: Table A, One Round + Winning Round 145cm
7pm: Grand Prix - World Cup Competition | Two Rounds 160cm



Winner of the 135 cm class, Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri (left) and his compatriot Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi, who finished third.
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