It's been a royally good weekend for Ruth Edge, who held the HSBC FEI World Cup TM Eventing qualifier at Gatcombe trophy aloft for the third time. Ruth took this year’s Championship with Two Thyme, also her winning partner in 2004.

Ruth joins an elite club of four, Mark Todd, Mary King and William Fox Pitt, who have won the title three times while Two Thyme is one of just three horses that have won the title twice. King William and Moon Man are the other two.

Renowned for her skills on the flat, Ruth and Two Thyme stood third after dressage and added nothing to their score in the show jumping. After the withdrawal of dressage leader Headley Britannia, just Mary King and Imperial Cavalier stood ahead of the Cumbrian rider. Mary parted company from Imperial Cavalier at the Folly leaving the way clear for Ruth.

A clear round took Ruth to the top of the leader board and she finished seven penalties ahead of the field. It was a particularly good result for 15-year-old Two Thyme as this was only his third run this season.

"For him to go like that was just amazing, it always surprises me how quick he is," said Ruth. "I knew I only had one ride in me and chose Two Thyme as he is not so strong."

Oliver Townend and Flint Curtis put in a determined round and finished in second place. Third place went to Bill Levett and Vera Leggett’s 14-year-old French bred Hippolyte to round off what became a good weekend for the British-based Australian. Fortune also stayed with British intermediate champion Polly Stockton who finished in fourth place with Westwood Poser.