LONGINES MASTERS PARIS - Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping

USPA NEWS - The Longines Masters of Paris, where the series initially started, has become the not-to-be-missed event on the capital's sporting and cultural calendar, where movie and TV stars business decision makers and world class riders are eager to gather....

The Longines Masters of Paris, where the series initially started, has become the not-to-be-missed event on the capital's sporting and cultural calendar, where movie and TV stars business decision makers and world class riders are eager to gather. This Parisian event, which is held in the aegis of the Salon du Cheval of Paris welcomes nearly 200,000 visitors each year, is well-known for its atmosphere made unique in the world. During the four days of the event, you experience exceptional, and exhilarating, world-class and innovative show jumping competitions while also enjoying various social events celebrating 'l´élégance à la française'. From young to old, equestrian expert and neophyte alike, everyone is welcome at the Longines Masters.

THE MAIN EVENTS :

- The Longines Speed Challenge with prize money of €100,000 takes place over a 1.45m course. Created in Paris in 2010 by EEM, this class requires perfect timing and infinite precision, two values which are dear to the Longines brand, a passionate supporter of equestrian sports. It differs slightly from traditional speed classes because a fault only leads to a two second penalty, instead of the usual four. A fallen rail needn´t be crippling, therefore, and riders can still hope to catch up these two penalty seconds by going just that little bit faster.

It is one of the Villepinte audience's favourite classes because, in general, the French riders excel at it. Previous winners in PARIS were :
* 2010 Paris - Roger Yves Bost & Jovis de Ravel
* 2011 Paris - Philippe Rozier & Idéal de Roy
* 2012 Paris - Roger Yves Bost & Castle Forbes Cosma
* 2013 Paris - Scott Brash & Bon Ami
* 2014 Paris - Alvaro "Doda" de Miranda & AD Nouvelle Europe Z
* 2015 Paris ““ Grégory Wathelet & Egano van het Slogenhof

- Gold Cup presented by the Salon du Cheval de Paris and CENECA and takes place in two heats ““ the latter determining the winner. The first round is based on time results; the goal being for the riders to place in the top 25 finalists in order to qualify for the second round. With a winning prize of 61,800€ on the line and an obstacle course of jumps reaching 1m50, the event is truly be a race against time, and the results will count for the Longines world ranking by the FEI.

- The Pro-Am for Charity class is unique event on the Longines Masters program. Riders wear costumes, let themselves go, have fun and share their enjoyment with the spectators. Each team consists of two riders, one from among the world's best professional riders and an 'amateur' : celebrities from the world of show business, cinema, television, business, etc. The obstacles are lower (1.10m for amateurs, 1.20m for professionals) and the riders swap their formal riding gear for more far-fetched costumes, turning their sporting performance into a entertaining show. As for the results, the competition part is judged under Table A; the show part is judged by a jury of international personalities on the quality of the costumes and choreography.

- The Longines Grand Prix is the grand finale of each leg of the Longines Masters series. It is the key class, support of the Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping. A technical, Olympic-level course, with approximately twelve obstacles and fifteen demanding jumps, ““ up to 1.60m in height at most ““ with tough sequences and double and triple combinations, requiring horses that are perfectly trained and focused and experienced riders who must not make even the slightest error of judgement. To determine the winner, riders who jump clear (or have the same number of penalties), take part in a jump off, a shorter version of the initial course where time is of the essence.

The prize money of $350K is just the beginning. The Longines Grand Prix offers the winner an opportunity to vie for the Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping, the ultimate equestrian challenge across continents. A chance to enter the legend and win an unprecedented bonus of 2.25 million Euros for the rider who can succeed in claiming the top spot in the Longines Masters Grand Prix in Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong.

Previous winners in PARIS :
* 2009 Gucci Paris Masters - Jos Lansink & Valentina Van´t Heike
* 2010 Gucci Paris Masters - Marco Kutscher & Cash 63
* 2011 Gucci Paris Masters - Pénélope Leprévost & Mylord Carthago*HN
* 2012 Gucci Paris Masters - Marc Houtzager & Sterrehof´s Tamino
* 2013 Gucci Paris Masters - Kevin Staut & Silvana HDC
* 2014 Gucci Paris Masters ““ Martin Fuchs & PSG Future
* 2015 Longines Masters of Paris - Patrice Delaveau & Lacrimoso 3*HDC

- The Longines Masters legs open their magnificent rings to riders who are less accustomed to such grandeur. In the Invitational, young and amateur riders can compete on the same sand, over the same obstacles, in the same conditions, on the courses built by the same course designer as the best riders in the world! The courses are between 1.15m to 1.30m in height, making it a suitable setting for these riders to make progress, often accompanied by their trainers, some of whom perform in the Longines Masters classes.

- Based on the principle of the Invitational, the Prestige Trophy, a veritable antechamber for the Masters, is a competition open to the best young and amateur riders, but also to professionals. The height of the obstacles ranges from 1.35m to 1.45m. The Prestige Trophy´s classes are also interesting for the audience because they can watch the circuit´s former stars come face to face with the champions of the future. For amateur riders, it is an incredible opportunity to be able to compete against former (or who knows perhaps future) World Champions or Olympic medallists in 'five-star' conditions.

Source : Longines Masters Paris -Dec. 1-4

Ruby BIRD
http://www.portfolio.uspa24.com/
Yasmina BEDDOU
http://www.yasmina-beddou.uspa24.com/