Equestrianism: Edge wins second Open in absence of Olympic riders

Ruth Edge again took advantage of the absence of Olympic riders when she won the British Open title, the major contest of the Festival of British Eventing. Edge first won the title four years ago with Two Thyme, when she was still Ruth Friend and British riders were on their way to the Athens Olympics.

Yesterday she was on 11-year-old Mayhem III, who had a brief stay in her yard when he was seven before returning to his owner. "That was because I couldn't stay on him, he bucked me off three times in the first week," Edge said.

Mayhem's behaviour improved once he discovered eventing was fun. Yesterday he followed an excellent dressage and faultless show jumping with a bold cross-country round to win with 6.2 penalties in hand. Second place went to Nicola Wilson on Opposition Buzz, who finished on the same score as Oliver Townend and Flint Curtis, taking the higher placing with a faster cross-country time.

Zara Phillips was 16th on Glenbuck and 18th on Ardfield Magic Star.