Longines Masters of New York Collaborates with Equestrian and Designer Ariana Rockefeller for New Limited-Edition Saddle Bag

Today, equestrian and designer Ariana Rockefeller and the Longines Masters of New York announced a new limited-edition saddle bag to celebrate the one-of-a-kind, prestigious indoor show jumping and luxury lifestyle event coming to New York in April.  

Combining the best of equestrian sports, high-end shopping, delectable cuisine, and nightly musical performances, the Longines Masters of New York will ride into New York for its debut event on April 26-29, 2018, at NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

To celebrate the upcoming event, avid rider and designer, Ariana Rockefeller created a bag inspired by world-class riding of the global Longines Masters Series taking place in Paris, Hong Kong, and now, her home state of New York!

Made of classic canvas and trimmed in grain leather, the Ariana Rockefeller for Longines Masters saddle bag is available in two colors and reflects the smooth leather curves and buckles of a saddle. The grey-on-grey style was inspired by both the style and attitude of New York City as well as the colors of the Longines Masters brand. The saddle bag will also be available in classic natural twill with brown leather trim. Complete with an embossed logo on the inside pocket, the bag will retail for $550. The bag, produced in Manhattan, will come in a sleek Longines Masters dust bag with the brand’s signature horse icon.

A long-standing supporter of the Longines Masters, Rockefeller participated in the American leg of the international series in its previous home in Los Angeles where she was a judge of the longstanding Charity Pro-Am Competition.

Christophe Ameeuw, CEO and Founder of EEM, said, “Ariana has been a part of the Longines Masters family and a strong supporter of our American Leg since we arrived in the United States four years ago. The ethos of the Longines Masters is founded on creating a show jumping competition that elevates the sport through a combination of elite competition and a strong lifestyle component. When we moved to New York it seemed only fitting that we collaborate with Ariana on something special.”

“Collaborating with the Longines Masters of New York, I wanted the bag to be a fusion of equestrian and New York minimal style,” explained Rockefeller. “Our partnership celebrates the urban setting of the Longines Masters of New York, but is also true to the understated elegance of equestrian sport.”

EEM, creators of the Longines Masters of New York, and Ariana Rockefeller hosted an exclusive cocktail party last night at Rockefeller’s home in Wellington, Florida, to celebrate the launch of the new collaboration. Georgina Bloomberg, Laura Kraut, Nick Skelton, Chloe Reid and Karen Polle joined established and up-and-coming riders to preview the new bag collection and gear up for the four-day Spring event.

The 100-bag limited edition line launched today at www.arianarockefeller.com and will be sold online and exclusively on-site at the Longines Masters of New York. Tickets for the 2018 Longines Masters of New York are available now on NYCBlive.com or ticketmaster.com. For full information on the event, visit www.longinesmasters.com.

ABOUT EEM
A passionate of equestrian sports, Christophe Ameeuw - CEO of EEM and Founder of the Longines Masters Paris-Hong Kong-New York Series - founded the Ecuries d’Ecaussinnes in 1997. Based in Belgium, the stables are internationally reputed for their activities in trading sport horses and high-standard breeding. They are also home to an offering some of the best teaching available in the field. In opening EEM, Christophe Ameeuw and his teams were in pursuit of a challenge: to reinvent show jumping by organizing equestrian events of an entirely new kind. The company built its development by creating the concept of the “Masters”, which together, under the same roof, the best of show-jumping, resplendent displays and art de vivre. After the successes of the Audi Masters in Brussels and the Gucci Masters in Paris, EEM came out with one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, the Longines Masters Series, on three continents, in Paris, Hong Kong and New York. Inspired by the Grand Slam in Tennis, EEM created a concurrent “Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping”, approved by the FEI, this intercontinental challenge is offered to the world's elite in show jumping, with two prize levels: The Super Grand Slam - a €2,250,000 super bonus for the three consecutive wins in the Longines Grand Prix, in the season order -  The Grand Slam - a €1,000,000 bonus for three successive victories at Longines Grand Prix straddling two Longines Masters seasons.

In 2017, EEM will be creating a new iconic competition, the Riders Masters Cup. Offered to the public alongside the EEF (European Equestrian Federation) and alternating between Europe and the United States, this battle will pit the world's two leading powers in show jumping against one another: Europe and the United States. On the Asian continent, “Asia Horse Week”, rallying point for the international equestrian community there, also serves as a prime setting for the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, illustrating EEM's determination to develop the sport's international arms in the Asia-Pacific Region. Firmly set on putting equestrian sports front and center and making them accessible to all, EEM rolled out a new digital TV channel on November 14, 2017. EEM.tv offers viewers the chance to follow live and free of charge all EEM events worldwide.

ABOUT THE LONGINES MASTERS
Set in the three of the world's most emblematic metropolises - Paris, Hong Kong and New York - the Longines Masters series is recognized as one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian world. Created by EEM and inspired by the Tennis Grand Slam, the series quickly expanded their international reach (Hong Kong in 2013, Los Angeles in 2014). In 2015, the inter-continental trilogy turned into the Longines Masters Series.  Alongside it, EEM created the “Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping”, approved by the FEI, the Grand Slam Indoor is the ultimate challenge for the world's elite in show jumping, with two levels of prizes:The Super Grand Slam: a bonus of 2.25 million Euros for winning 3 consecutive Longines Grand Prix in the same season. The Grand Slam: a bonus of 1 million Euros for three successive victories in the Longines Grand Prix from one season to the next. The TV broadcast of the Longines Masters Series reachers, to over 120 countries, almost 320 million households, a coverage increased this year by the launch of EEM.tv, the new digital channel of EEM. It allows everybody to freely livestream the all competition and events during the four days. Save the date : Paris 2017 : November 30th – December 3rd Hong Kong 2018 : February 9th – February 11thNew-York : April 26th – April 29th
For more information, see www.longinesmasters.com

ABOUT ARIANA ROCKEFELLER
Ariana Rockefeller is the heritage brand of American designer and equestrian Ariana Rockefeller. The women's ready-to-wear collections are comprised of easy to wear styles, fabricated in luxe textiles and in timeless silhouettes. The custom prints are designed in-house and are exclusive to the Ariana Rockefeller brand.  The Ariana Rockefeller Handbag Collection launched in February 2016. Inspired by equestrian sport and lifestyle, the accessories maintain the brand's clean and classic point of view. Both the ready-to-wear & handbag collections are manufactured in Midtown Manhattan. The AR Brand is proud to partner with TheSil online boutique which will retail exclusive pieces from the AR collection.

ABOUT LONGINES
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.
Information : Longines International Public Relations - 2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
Contact: www.longines.com - Email : publicrelations@longines.com +1 786 725 5394

Press Contacts:

For Ariana Rockefeller
Brenner Thomas
Brenner@theleadpr.com
212.584.5668

For the Longines Masters of New York
Sunshine Sachs
LonginesMasters@sunshinesachs.com
212.691.2800