Star-Studded Field Set for Inaugural Longines Masters of New York

It’s all in place for a stunning weekend of elite show jumping sport as the world’s best riders, including the two most recent U.S. winners of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final, will come together at the NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in New York on April 26-29. This is the debut of the innovative Longines Masters Series in New York as the third leg joins Paris and Hong Kong on the calendar with four days of thrilling jumping sport showcasing the best riders and horses from around the world, including multiple World Cup Final winners and Olympic medalists.

The action includes the exciting Longines Speed Challenge (Friday evening), the sheer power of the Masters Power Six-Bar (Saturday afternoon), and the thrilling conclusion of the Longines Masters Grand Prix of New York, the American Grand Slam, on Sunday afternoon. In addition, Riders USA will take on Riders Europe when the second edition of the transatlantic battle, which was launched in Paris in December 2017, lights up NYCB LIVE on Saturday night with the two-round Riders Masters Cup team competition.

“New York was a dream and I still can't believe it is a reality,” said CEO of EEM and Founder of the Longines Masters Series Christophe Ameeuw, recognized as a global leader in indoor show jumping. “We are overwhelmed by the warm welcome we have had in New York from longtime partners such as Longines, the Official Partner and Timekeeper of the Longines Masters Series, Automobili Lamborghini and Sam Edelman, as well as new brands, including Mark Cross, Douglas Elliman, Devialet, and the entire equestrian community. We bring our guests the best in show jumping, entertainment, and hospitality, and we’ve raised the bar this year.”

Blazing the way for the U.S. contingent are the stalwarts of the U.S. team, McLain Ward, ranked #8 in the World Rankings, and Beezie Madden, #21 in the World Rankings, who both hail from New York state. Entering New York with recent success, Madden brought home a win at the Longines FEI World Cup Final on April 16 in Paris while Ward finished fourth. Both Ward and Madden have two team gold and one team silver medals from Olympic Games and both have won FEI World Cup Finals (Ward in 2017), but neither has topped a Longines Masters Grand Prix, so they’ll be hungry to add that title to their resume. Devin Ryan, a young U.S. rider who turned in an amazing second-place result at the 2018 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final behind Madden, is also set to compete at the Longines Masters of New York.

Lauren Hough and Laura Kraut, both Olympians, FEI World Equestrian Games, and FEI World Cup Jumping Finals veterans, will also jump in New York for the U.S. aboard their exciting stars like Ohlala and Confu, respectively. New York’s reigning hometown hero, Georgina Bloomberg, will be joining them in the ring. The U.S. veterans will be joined by a U.S. roster brimming with young talent, including Jessica Springsteen, Kristen Vanderveen, Andrew Ramsay, Quentin Judge, Lucy Deslauriers, and Adrienne Sternlicht.

The World #2 rider, Harrie Smolders (NED), will spearhead the European riders at the Longines Masters of New York and he’ll be joined by an impressive cadre of European show jumpers with significant success in the last 18 months. The World #3 rider, Peder Fredricson of Sweden, and the World #4 and Olympian, Kevin Staut of France, will join Smolders when the European stars arrive in New York. Also lining out for the European veteran riders will be Patrice Delaveau (FRA), who won the Longines Grand Prix of Hong Kong this past February and will look to continue his road to the Grand Slam Bonus, while Olympian Philippe Rozier of France and Gregory Wathelet of Belgium compete to reign supreme. Joining them are the under-25 contingent of Edward Levy of France and Olivier Philippaerts of Belgium.

The 5* division will be full of action with the Longines Speed Challenge, the Masters Power Six-Bar, and the Longines Grand Prix of New York, with the exciting Riders Masters Cup taking place on the evening of Saturday, April 28. But junior and amateur riders get to compete against the professional stars with time in the spotlight as well with the Masters One and Two classes. Riders like veterans Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde (USA) and FEI World Cup Finals winner Mario Deslauriers (CAN) join up-and-comers Coco Fath (USA), Callie Seaman (USA), and Daniel Coyle (IRL) in the 2* division.

It’s not just the competition that sets the Longines Masters of New York apart; the inaugural Prestige Village, a fully immersive experience, will provide fans with all that the Longines Masters of New York has to offer. The heart of EEM’s vision within equestrian sports, the Prestige Village is filled with unique ways to engage with the competition and offers the latest in fashion and riding apparel, music, parties, rare art, and more. As part of the unveiling, the Longines Masters of New York announced a complete roster of luxury and equestrian brands, fashion labels, notable artists, and galleries to be featured in the Village, led by Title Partner, Official Timekeeper and Watch, Longines.

To purchase your tickets for the Longines Masters of New York, CLICK HERE. For information on the Prestige Village at the 2018 Longines Masters of New York and full information on the event, visit www.longinesmasters.com.

Masters ONE U.S. Riders, Listed by USEF Rank as of April 13, 2018
McLain Ward
Beezie Madden
Laura Kraut
Adrienne Sternlicht
Lauren Hough
Jessica Springsteen
Devin Ryan
Kristen Vanderveen
David Raposa
Lucy Deslauriers
Georgina Bloomberg
Quentin Judge
Brianne Goutal-Marteau
Andrew Kocher
Mattias Tromp
Todd Minikus
Andrew Ramsay
Sarah Scheiring
Lucy Davis

Masters ONE International Riders, Listed by FEI Longines world rank as of March 31, 2018
Harrie Smolders, NED
Peder Fredricson, SWE
Kevin Staut, FRA
Gregory Wathelet, BEL
Olivier Philippaerts, BEL
Daniel Bluman, ISR
Patrice Delaveau, FRA
Emanuele Gaudiano, ITA
Amanda Derbyshire, GBR
Philippe Rozier, FRA
Edward Levy, FRA
Erynn Ballard, CAN
Alberto Michan, MEX
Jane Richard Philips, SUI
Roberto Teran, COL

Television Broadcast Schedule on CBS Sports Network

Longines Speed Challenge - Friday, April 27, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. ET
Riders Masters Cup - Sunday, April 29, 4-6 p.m. ET
Longines Grand Prix - Sunday, April 29, 6-8 p.m. ET

To view the rest of the competition schedule at the Longines Masters of New York, please watch the free live stream at EEM.tv!

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High-resolution images available for use: https://sunshinesachs.egnyte.com/fl/byGsRCKarw

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 created 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 pits 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 11th New-York : April 26th – April 29th
For more information, see www.longinesmasters.com

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
Site : www.longines.com - Email : publicrelations@longines.com