Scott Brash. Photos: Getty Images for the Longines Masters.
16 Olympians, 22 World Equestrian Games Team Members, 10 World Cup Finals Medalists and More
Los Angeles, CA. September 15, 2015 – On October 1-4, the world’s best riders will converge in California to compete for $1 million in prize money at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles. As the only FEI recognized CSI 5* show jumping competition on the West Coast, the American leg of the Longines Masters series has attracted top-ranked international riders, including 16 Olympians, 22 World Equestrian Games team members, 10 World Cup Finals medalists, the 2015 Pan American Games Team USA Bronze Medalists and Individual Gold Medalist McLain Ward.
“Los Angeles is a premier destination for international competition, and some of the best athletes in the world call it home,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “As we work to bring the Olympic Games to our city in 2024, we are thrilled to welcome the world’s top show jumpers — many of them Olympians and Olympic hopefuls — to compete in the Longines Masters of Los Angeles.”
Following his historic victory this weekend in Calgary, the amazing World Number 1, 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medalist Scott Brash has confirmed that he will kick off his 2015/2016 indoor season at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles. He will be competing in hopes of maintaining his twenty-month reign at the top of the rankings. He will be a major contender for the Longines Grand Prix on Sunday and a strong competitor to fellow British countryman and six-time Olympian John Whitaker. Whitaker will be competing for the chance to take home the €500,000 Masters Grand Slam bonus if he wins the Longines Grand Prix of Los Angeles following his victory at the Longines Masters of Hong Kong.
Other European riders will include Longines World Cup 2014 winner Daniel Deusser (World No. 2, GER) and 2012 Individual Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Guerdat (World No. 5, SUI). Jos Verlooy will return to defend his title, and young prodigy Irish show jumper Bertran Allen will return to the ring after his August injury.
Representing the United States will be Number 1 U.S. and Number 3 World rider Beezie Madden, who is a two-time Olympic Team Gold Medalist and Individual Bronze Medalist, as well as her 2012 London Olympics Team USA teammates McLain Ward and Richard Fellers. The recent 2015 Pan American Games Bronze Medal-winning Team USA will also be competing: McLain Ward, Georgina Bloomberg, Lauren Hough and Kent Farrington, along with Jessica Springsteen and more 5* riders.
Along with 5* Masters competitions such as the Longines Speed Challenge, Gucci Gold Cup, and Longines Grand Prix, Prestige and Invitational classes and the Charity Pro-AM Style & Competition will provide a unique opportunity for 2*, 1* and amateur riders to compete alongside masters of the sport. Kaley Cuoco, Jennifer Gates, Destry Spielberg, Hannah Selleck, Eve Jobs, Will Simpson and more will take the ring to show off their skills throughout the four action-packed days.
The hospitality, lifestyle, entertainment and glamour of Los Angeles coupled with the level of sporting competition of show jumping have made this the must-attend event of the year.
Feel the momentum build as the Longines Masters approaches in the new video. To witness these remarkable riders in action, tickets are now available for purchase at http://mastersgrandslam.com/en/ticketing.
DETAILS:
The Longines Masters of Los Angeles
October 1st to 4th 2015
WEBSITE: http://www.mastersgrandslam.com/en/longines_masters_los_angeles
TICKETING: Tickets are available at http://www.mastersgrandslam.com/en/ticketing
ABOUT THE LONGINES MASTERS
Established in three of the biggest cities—Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong—the unique Longines Masters series is recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale and is one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions worldwide. Created by EEM, the concept of the Masters was born in 2009 with the first edition of the Gucci Paris Masters, now renamed the Longines Masters of Paris. Inspired by the Grand Slam tournaments in tennis, the circuit rapidly developed abroad, with the Longines Masters of Hong Kong in 2013 and the Longines Masters of Los Angeles in 2014.
The world’s best riders and horses will compete for one million dollars in prize money at each leg of the series. In addition, any rider who consecutively wins the Longines Masters Grands Prix in Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles will be rewarded with one million euros Masters Grand Slam bonus. For two successive victories, the rider will be awarded €500,000, and winners of two non-successive victories within a series of three Longines Masters Grand Prix will receive a €250,000 bonus.
These events are broadcast in more than 120 countries and reach uo to 550 million households.. Every edition of the Masters is must-attend event that brings together sports enthusiasts, amateurs, celebrities and corporate decision-makers from around the world, who come to enjoy a unique experience, boasting exceptional sport, entertainment, glamour, gastronomy and contemporary art.
Longines Masters of Los Angeles October 1st to 4th 2015
Longines Masters of Paris December 3rd to 6th 2015
Longines Masters of Hong Kong February 19th to 21st 2016
About EEM
To reinvent Show Jumping! What an ambitious goal EEM CEO and Founder Christophe Ameeuw and his team have set for themselves! For over ten years they have been dedicated to bringing equestrian sports to the international front stage. Inspired by the Grand Slam in tennis and its legendary tournaments, EEM gathers under one roof the best of the sport, entertainment and glamour.
2009 was a crucial milestone for EEM with the revival of the Jumping de Paris and the creation of the Gucci Paris Masters, as it marked the beginning of their international development. EEM then set off to conquer new continents. An Asian edition took place in Hong Kong in 2013, followed in 2014 by the first American stage of the Longines Masters in Los Angeles. This first edition on the American continent was welcomed by renowned sports channel ESPN with the headline “The Next Big USA Sport”.
In 2015 the intercontinental trilogy becomes the Longines Masters, presented by EEM.
UNITED STATES MEDIA CONTACTS
Sunshine Sachs
Sarit Schneider | Alyssa Furnari
LAMasters@SunshineSachs.com
212 691 2800 | 323 822 9300