Press release | Showjumping – “It is an extraordinary experience to be a partner of a Masters class, which is additionally the opening event for the amazing Longines Speed Challenge, when the Parisian public is already going crazy! Especially when the best riders in the world are on the start list.” Caroline Sablereau, the CEO of the Laiterie de Montaigu, perfectly sums up the atmosphere at the beginning of this Longines Masters of Paris evening.
A very selective course, four jump-off riders forming an ideal of combination of experience, youth, friendliness and freshness, but all ready to play the game: all the ingredients required to bring the house down were in place. The public was captivated by the outstanding riding and the appeal of the winner, Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca with Limestone Grey, a ten-year-old horse which has been performing wonderfully since the Italian began riding him a year ago. The first rider in the class and obviously in the jump-off, he managed to take the necessary risks to defeat the big names of the discipline: Abdelkebir Ouaddar/Quickly de Kreisker and John Whitaker/Argento, as well as the combination which has been the revelation of the last few months, Maelle Martin/Giovanni de la Pomme. “I took part in the Prestige event a few years ago, but this is my first time at the Masters. It’s a real pleasure to ride in such great conditions, in front of an expert and enthusiastic audience, with this incredible atmosphere. And the horses are jumping wonderfully: what more could you ask for?” His French fans will be delighted to hear that he will be riding Armitages Boy in Sunday’s prestigious Longines Grand Prix.
In the meantime, he will be participating in the Longines Speed Challenge, with the three other jump-off riders and a host of champions. Who will be the master of time in the fastest class in the world? The grandstands are packed. All eyes are focused on the famous “timekeeper ring” invented by Uliano Vezzani, the Longines Masters course designer. The atmosphere will definitely be crazy!
Source: Press release