New York, theatre of the Longines Masters

Each season, the Longines Masters Series travels in three continents to meet different cultures in three emblematic cities : Paris, Hong Kong and New York. Inspired by the legendary tournaments of the tennis Grand Slam, this events gather the best riders around the world. To do so, the quality of the events as well as the prize money are very attractive. A rider can win one million euros bonus for a three consecutive victories in the Longines Grand Prix from one season to the next. That is the Grand Slam. And if a rider does a triple consecutive Longines Grand Prix victory starting in Paris, then Hong Kong and New York in the same season, he will win 2,25 millions euros. That is the Super Grand Slam. But this year, no one can pretend to earn it as Edwina Tops Alexander won in Paris and Denis Lynch won in Hong Kong.

Last year New York winner McLain Ward is one of the favorite for the Grand Prix. World number two, the American brings two performant mares : Clinta and HH Azur. The last one won in march the last CSI5* of the year in Wellington. Lots of his compatriots will try to shine in front of their home crowd like : Leslie Howard, Mario Deslauriers, Kent Farrington, or Beezie Madden. Only Great-Britain representative, Amanda Derbyshire will bring Luibanta BH, the mare she was riding for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon and Roulette BH.

But before the Grand Prix on Sunday, riders will fight each other during the famous Speed Challenge on Friday night. Last year, Canada’s Erynn Ballard on Fantast outshined her opponents. Even if the pair is no longer together as Fantast is now associated to America’s Adrienne Sternlicht, she will try to repeat her performance this year after winning several competitions this winter in Wellington. But she will have to face very speed riders like Oliver Philippaerts, Beezie Madden or Harrie Smolders.

This week-end, spectators will also enjoy the Riders Master Cup. In this competition one American team will challenge one European team. Each team is composed by five riders, including one under twenty-five years old. Philippe Guerdat for Europe and Robert Ridland for United-States are team makers. Pius Schwizer, Harrie Smolders, Darragh Kenny, Olivier Philippaerts and Edward Lévy will represent Europe and McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Devin Ryan, Laura Chapot and Lillie Keenan will ride for United-States.

Startlist : here