Paris, FRA – Nov. 30, 2017 – The European pioneering stage of the intercontinental Longines Masters Paris – Hong Kong – New York series has at last opened its doors, in Hall 5B of Parc des Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte, parallel to the Paris Horse Show. Those who turned out for the first day were able to feast their eyes on the 6* track that will be hosting the world’s best riders, along with the Prestige Village, the place where excellence and lifestyle truly become one.
Riders have arrived from all over the world, stepping out into the legendary Longines Masters of Paris arena for competition, offering audiences an amazing display through each of the day’s five events. With the afternoon came two events during which some of the world’s best riders, including the 2010 Vice world Team Champion Olivier Guillon, the British Ben Maher and the Portuguese Luciana Diniz, made their debut in the competition.
An impressive audience gathered, eager to watch and wonder at the night’s highlight event, the Masters One Asia Horse Week CSI5*, echoing the new annual event for the global equestrian world in Asia , founded by EEM, which will take place from February 8-11, 2018. Head and shoulders above the competition, Pro Elite French Champion Gregory Cottard took first place with a spotless ride and the fastest time, 58.26 seconds aboard Les Ecuries de Wy SPRL’s Regate d’Aure. American rider Lauren Hough and Willow Grace Farms’ Quantas 15 followed to finish in second place with a time of 59.77 seconds. The home country claimed places third through sixth, with another Pro Elite French Champion, Alexandra Paillot, securing third with Tonio la Goutelle.
Earlier in the day, the Grand Prix Magazine Masters Two, partner of the event, got started with riders giving their utmost. But in the end, it was the member of the French team Jérôme Hurel who came away victorious on Urano in 58.73 seconds, under tremendous applauses.
In a rousing finish to the day, audiences saw the curtain go up on the much-awaited first-ever Riders Masters Cup, with the official introduction of the Europe and USA teams, and the electrifying suspense of the draw that would determine the teams’ starting order in the face-offs to follow in Round 1, on Saturday December 2. In attendance alongside the riders were such figures as team heads Philippe Guerdat and Robert Ridland, Ambassador of the Riders Masters Cup, Olympic champion Pierre Durand, Dr. Hanfried Haring, President of the EEF (European Equestrian Federation) and Christophe Ameeuw, CEO of EEM. “The Riders Masters Cup promesses an excitement rarely seen in showjumping, beared by the fervor of the audience, that will support its favourite team. With such amazing riders, we can only expect an incredible show!”
The duels for the Riders Masters Cup are as follows:
Devin Ryan vs. Kevin Staut
Chloe Reid vs. Maikel Van der Vleuten
Laura Kraut vs. Gregory Wathelet
Reed Kessler vs. Jos Verlooy
Lauren Hough vs. Lorenzo de Luca
The morning began with the Institut Esthederm Masters Two which thrilled audiences with a course culminating at 1m35. The class was won by the talented Camille Demolie, 16 years old, on the beautiful Chica Fino, in 29.02 seconds, surpassing some of the best riders in the world.
Amateur riders followed, making their way through a 1.15m course, before an enraptured audience, delighted to discover the incredible performance of the very young Ansgar Holgers Jr., whom, from the age of 12, raised himself on top of the class, on Hookjipa XXX.
Amateur riders continued, taking on the test of the Dada Sport Masters Three, where the bars, raised to 1.25m, saw the victory of Paloma de Crozals on Pomme du Vallon, ahead of the rising star of French showjumping Emma Bodier.
“The audience was able to enjoy an exceptional first day, which was all about sporting feats — definitely a good omen! However, the Longines Masters de Paris is also a unique immersive lifestyle experience. The Prestige Village, set around the training paddock, invites the public to travel through a world where lifestyle reflects the excellence and beauty of equestrian sport”, explained Christophe Ameeuw, CEO of EEM and Founder of the Longines Masters Series Paris – Hong Kong – New York.
Highlights for the week include the first-ever Riders Masters Cup CSI5* on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. EST and the Longines Grand Prix CSI5* on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. EST.
RESULTS
Masters One Asia Horse Week CSI5*
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Faults | Time
1. Regate d’Aure / Gregory Cottard / FRA / 0 | 58.26
2. Quantas 15 / Lauren Hough / USA / 0 | 59.77
3. Tonio la Goutelle / Alexandra Paillot / FRA / 0 | 60.27
4. Urvoso du Roch / Nicolas Delmotte / FRA / 0 | 60.28
5. Gain Line / Simon Delestre / FRA / 0 | 63.13
6. Saxo de la Cour / Cédric Angot / FRA / 0 | 63.40
7. Cornwell / Christian Ahlmann / GER / 0 | 63.49
8. Sally 643 / Chloe Reid / USA / 0 | 63.64
9. Tobago Z / Daniel Deusser / GER / 0 | 64.18
10. Pegase du Murier / Roger Yves Bost / FRA / 0 | 64.84
11. Toupie de la Roque / Julien Epaillard / FRA / 0 | 65.18
12. KS Stakki / Reed Kessler / USA / 0 | 66.76
For full results, click here.