Stage is Set for Second Edition of Riders Masters Cup at Longines Masters of Paris
December 1, 2018 - Paris, France
The Longines Masters Series christened its fourth season on Thursday, November 29, at the Longines Masters of Paris in the French capital city. Featuring the European leg of the Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping and the first sequence of head-to-head duels in the popular Riders Masters Cup on Saturday, December 1, Paris marks the official beginning of the Longines Masters Series.
The Riders Masters Cup is a new innovative show jumping competition launched in 2017 by EEM and organized in partnership with the European Equestrian Federation (EEF). The concept pits two equestrian powerhouses – the United States and Europe – against each other in a transatlantic battle.
With pairs of riders facing off over two rounds, the first round is conducted as a table A grand prix course with the starting order being drawn at random. Each duel won in this round earns one point for the team of the winning rider.
The second round is against the clock and riders are allowed to switch from a grand prix mount to a speed horse. The coach of the losing team in the first round designates the first rider to go and the winning team has the advantage of choosing the first opponent. It then switches for the next round. Each duel that is won accumulates two points for the winning team.
Captained by U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and French Chef d’Equipe Philippe Guerdat, the match-ups for the duels set for Saturday evening at the Longines Masters of Paris are as follows:
DUEL N°1
Taylor Alexander (USA) vs. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (Europe)
DUEL N°2
McLain Ward (USA) vs. Edward Levy (Europe)
DUEL N°3
Jessica Springsteen (USA) vs. Harry Charles (Europe)
DUEL N°4
Laura Kraut (USA) vs. Maikel Van Der Vleuten (Europe)
DUEL N°5
Lucas Porter (USA) vs. Daniel Deusser (Europe)
Having been edged out by Riders Europe in the first two editions of the Riders Masters Cup at the Longines Masters of Paris 2017 and New York in 2018, Riders USA is hungry for a win.
“We’re not giving up,” said Ridland. “We went down to the wire in Paris and we went down to the wire again in New York. That final duel was really one for the ages. We put up one hell of a fight and a great second-half comeback. It’s really exciting to see the top riders in the world going for speed. It’s a great format!”
The battle comes to American soil as European contenders cross the Atlantic for the Longines Masters of New York and the fourth edition of the Riders Masters Cup on April 27, 2019. Tickets for the Longines Masters of New York will be available soon at www.longinesmasters.com/en/ticketing/new-york.
The Longines Masters of Paris continues through Sunday, December 2, before the series moves on to the Longines Masters of Hong Kong from February 15-17, and the Longines Masters of New York on April 25-28. Watch via live-stream on EEM.tv, a free digital equestrian sports channel broadcasting all of the action.
For full information on the 2018/2019 Longines Masters, 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 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 intercontinental 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: Hong Kong 2019 : February 15th – February 19th ;New-York 2019: April 24th – April 28th 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