AUSTRALIA'S leading jumping rider Edwina Alexander was crowned Leading Lady Rider of the Chantilly Five Star grand prix in France on Saturday.

She was third in the $500,000 1.60m grand prix, riding her super chestnut gelding Cevo Itot Du Chateau, and gained several placings riding Kisby and Quimono De La Rogue.

Her performances have propelled her to fourth position on the global champion tour rankings.

She now sits on 153 points, just behind German riders Marco Kutcher and Marcus Ehning, who lead on 182 points.

World champion Jos Lansink, from Belgium, is third on 168 points.

The 1.60m grand prix was a girls-only affair, as Alexander, from Glenhaven, joined the winner, American Laura Kraut, and runner-up French rider Penelope Leprevost on the podium.

Kraut, riding Cedric, jumped clear against the clock in 38.22 seconds, with Leprevost second, riding Mylord Charthago clear in 40.39 seconds.

Alexander also jumped clear on Cevo Itot Du Chateau, in the slightly slower time of 40.91 seconds.

Marwan Lahoud, vice-president of organising committee, commented at the press conference on the "feminisation" of showjumping.

"In this sport there is no battle of the sexes. Everyone has the same chances and those three women are excellent riders," he said.

"Men and women are equally armed with their own trump cards in this sport."

It was truly "women's day" at the Chantilly Castle gardens.

Kraut said: "I was chasing this global champions tour victory for so long, and now I finally made it. And what a horse Cedric is!

"He was so relaxed in the big arena, after having already spent a week in the great arena of Aachen."

Leprevost achieved her best individual outdoor result, but she was modest as always.

"I was very lucky in the second round and I still have to learn to be faster in a jump-off," she said. "When I look at Marcus Ehning's courses (who finished seventh), I still have a lot of work to do," she said.

Alexander was also happy, especially after Itot's refusal in the grand prix of Aachen just the week before.

"That incident is obviously in the past. Itot has moved on," she said.

These three princesses of showjumping excited the 6500 spectators who cheered and clapped for each rider in the grand prix.