She is the only woman who has managed to win the Casas Novas World Cup Grand Prix twice and this year she could extend her record with a CDE horse, “Corelli de Mies”, with which she is participating in the 2024 edition. Edwina Tops-Alexander, who says she enjoys her time in A Coruña, tells us about her fantastic career in equestrian sport and her most immediate projects, with special dedication to the Global Champions Tour.

Edwina Tops-Alexander, Australian by birth, European by adoption, one of the best riders in the equestrian world and the only one who has managed to win twice the World Cup Grand Prix in Casas Novas, what does it mean for you to compete here again?

It's been a while since the last time I was here. I have always loved competing in Casas Novas, the atmosphere is amazing, the facilities are incredible... There is always a great atmosphere and the people are very welcoming. It's always a privilege for me to be able to be here and compete alongside the best riders in the world. I love it here.

You have come with an old acquaintance of the Spanish equestrian world, “Corelli de Mies”, what is your assessment of these two years with him? Is he ready for the big competitions?

He is a great horse for me, he has a lot of power. He used to be my second horse, I've had him in several Grand Prix, but it's true that he used to be a little bit second. Sometimes they don't get to be the first horse because you don't support them as much.

He is not really an easy horse for me, he is a sensitive horse, but also strong, he has a great nature and he is a very positive horse with a big heart.

He has his own jumping style, we try to find it and, although it's not always perfect, I try to accept him as he is and go with him. It's a little difficult for me not being very tall and him being so big, but we have found our keys, although sometimes we could find some better ones. But yes, he is definitely an amazing horse.  

With Fellow Castlefield you competed in the Paris Olympics and recently in the Global Champions Tour Playoffs. What kind of form is the horse in? Do you think he still has room for improvement?
He's having a great year. I would love to have brought him, but I have to think about what is best for the horse. Unfortunately, my other horse, Capuccino, has a very busy schedule, that's why I've only come with one horse. The rest are not yet ready for these shows.

But he is in great shape, he is a completely different horse from “Corelli”. He is a big, sensitive horse, with him I have to be much more still. It's a shame he can't be here, but right now he's taking a little break. 

How would you compare him to horses that were very important to you, like “Pialotta” or “Itot du Chateau”?

He's really not as good as the horses I've had in the past. He is an incredible horse and he has done very good courses and incredible Grand Prix, but he is not as fast and as winning as the others. With the others I've been very lucky, I've had amazing horses, “Itot du Chateau”, “Pialotta”, “California”, “Tequila”... A great list, so I'm very happy and grateful.

Anyway, he is my best horse at the moment, so we always try to do our best and choose the right competitions perfectly in order not to make him run too much and to have the best possible program. 

You haven't reached a World Cup Final since 2016, is this year among your goals to enter the Final in Basel?

No, it's not in my planning, but still, we are going to give a good show here in Casas Novas.

A new edition of the Global Champions Tour is starting very soon, can you combine it with the World Cup circuit?

I think you need enough horses to do both, and, if not, you have to be very specific with what you want to do and prepare the best program you can. 

It's hard to do both, it's a tough season, but people choose how they want to do the sport. I don't have the chance, being from Australia, to do National Cups, so it doesn't really affect me in that sense. It's hard for me to get into World Cups these days, as it's very tough if you're not in the top 10. 

I'm really focused on the Global Champions Tour, we have an amazing team that I'll be a part of next year, which I'm really excited about. It's going to be great, I can't say too much yet but it's going to be very interesting, I'm really looking forward to next season.  

You started riding when you were 8 years old in Australia and settled in Europe in 1998, first in Belgium and then in the Netherlands. Was settling in Europe key to developing your riding career?

I certainly wouldn't be here. I had no idea when I came, I was originally coming for only six months and...I thought I was much better than I was. 

I had to start from scratch and it was a long road, much more difficult than I thought. But I like challenges and it was exciting, I started from scratch and I thought every horse I rode was a superstar. I learned the hard way, which I think is the best way and I worked hard. It's something that I think ended up rewarding me, as I've been very lucky with my horses and I've had a great relationship with all of them. I think I've had a good career so far, but there's still a lot more I want to achieve. 

Having competed in 5 Olympic Games, 4 World Championships, 9 World Cup Finals and won top level Grand Prix all over the world, what still remains for you to do and achieve in this sport? 

There is still a long way to go. I like several of my younger horses, and I think they will make it to the top level. It's a nice challenge. 

Also, I always say you're never as good as on this day, you can have great results and a great race, but this day will always be the most important day. So there are always challenges, plus, competing against the best riders and the best combinations always makes you feel that there is still a lot to do. 

And where are your plans for the 2025 season, where despite living in Europe, you won't be able to compete in the European Championships because you are Australian?

Unbelievable, when I was on the Global Tour it was amazing. We have all the facilities, being here in A Coruña is fantastic, the weather is great and they have a lot of experience when it comes to doing this kind of shows, so I'm sure it will be amazing.