An authentic ‚6-Star‘ sporting experience

Innovation is a fundamental word for Christophe Ameeuw and his team at EEM World, the talented bunch of creators and organizers of the tri-continental Longines Masters series. Previous show jumping events in Paris may well have been a great success but the 2015 event in Paris will be a whole new experience.

The pioneering spirit of the EEM team has always been a driving force behind the Longines Masters: being ahead of the game is an obsession. The concept is much more than a mere show jumping event; a Longines Masters edition is a truly international, cultural and sporting melting pot, a unique meeting point for the general public, sponsors, partners, athletes, businessmen, stars and celebrities. The Longines Masters’ lively and exceptional setting is the perfect environment for passionate show jumping fans to come together and experience the best in sport, art, entertainment and multicultural adventures.

New Series, New Settings
The Longines Masters of Paris is held in an exceptional setting, open to everyone and featuring the best in show jumping, a noble yet popular discipline. The world’s top riders, including Olympic medalists as well as European and World champions, will be present with their best horses, teams, and trainers and will be closely followed by admirers of the equestrian sector and sports enthusiasts alike. Participants, visitors and spectators of the Longines Masters of Paris will be plunged into the heart of the sport like nothing they’ve ever experienced before.

A fresh vision will greet visitors from their first step into the Longines Masters of Paris, as the decor draws from the intercontinental series’ new brand identity. Most of the fences are new and some challenges of the main competitions have had a complete design makeover.

Longines Speed Challenge: New challenge, New Record to Break
The Longines Speed Challenge is now a classic. It’s “the” definitive speed challenge. It could be called a world championship, crowning the fastest rider competing in the events that span the three continents hosting the Longines Masters series. Faults are penalized less than in other classes, which in turn pushes the riders to give it their all and create a never-before-seen atmosphere in this sport. The winner then sits on an imposing throne on stage above the track until dethroned by someone faster. Bertram Allen was fastest in Los Angeles, on the brand new 2015/2016 season track designed by Luc Musette. Can he do it again? In Paris he’ll be competing in front of a very special spectator as the Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Chi Ling Lin, will grace Friday’s trials with her stunning presence. The beautiful Asian actress and model will also visit the Swiss watch brand’s shop where visitors can browse the Longines DolceVita, the Longines Masters de Paris’ official watch.

The Gucci Gold Cup: sport and glamour on Saturday night
Saturday evening hosts a new top level class which puts the glitz and glamour into sport with the brand new Gucci Gold Cup, a 1.55 event in two rounds with a second winning round. The Gucci Gold Cup’s 100,000 € prize is worthy of a 5-star Grand Prix which is why riders see this title as one of the must-haves on the international circuit, which they simply have to take home with them! John Whitaker got the prestigious list of winners rolling at the event in Hong Kong with Argento; Patrice Delaveau, the rider who’s won the most titles on the Longines Masters circuit (nine!), came next in Los Angeles with Carinjo: two “experts” in the field, who’ll be the third in Paris?

Sharing is Caring
The same evening sees stars flocking to Paris to cheer on their friends taking part in the Pro-Am Style & Competition for AMADE charity event. Celebrities such as Nicolas Canteloup, Benjamin Castaldi, Charlotte Casiraghi and Guillaume Canet will dress up and saddle up alongside champions in the discipline to raise funds for HSH Princess Caroline of Hanovre’s Amade Foundation for the protection and development of children worldwide.

The Longines Grand Prix: Ending on a High Note
The Longines Masters of Paris will end on a high note with the Longines Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. The weekend’s star event, part of the Masters Grand Slam Super bonus, is held on an Olympic-standard 1.60m technical track. The challenge is to win the Grand Prix Longines of Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, all in a row. This intercontinental feat would be rewarded by a bonus check for 1,000,000 Euros. (or 500,000 Euros for two wins in a row, or 250,000 Euros for two non-consecutive wins).

Two riders are battling it out for a victory in Paris. Germany’s Marco Kutscher, who won in Los Angeles with his horse Van Gogh, could not only take home a 500,000 € bonus if he wins in Paris but could also strike it lucky a third time in Hong Kong and thus win the 1,000,000 € jackpot. Legendary British jumper John Whitaker shall attempt a second non-consecutive win after his victory at the Longines Grand Prix of Hong Kong in February which could earn him a consolation bonus of 250,000 €.

Fashion News
The prestigious gala evening on Thursday this year proudly presents a fashion show by MIASUKI, the elegant and innovative Italian brand, who will showcase their collection of specialized womenswear and high-end accessories especially designed for female equestrian riders. Illustrious players in the world of Paris fashion will turn up to behold the unveiling of 20 exclusive styles in a dazzling display which will take place in the heart of the warm up arena.

The Thursday night gala will also feature a special concert by the incredibly successful female trio, LEJ, a Paris-based musical phenomenon whose hit “Summer 2015” scored over 25 million views on YouTube and gained over 500,000 Facebook fans in a matter of weeks earlier this year. Coupled with after-party DJ sensation Jérémie Charlier, the celebration will continue late into the night.

The MIASUKI Trophy
Another gem of this amazing event, the brand new MIASUKI Trophy is scheduled to be presented late afternoon on Friday, a 5-star competition height of 1.55 in which many of the top ranking riders in the world are due to participate.
A Work of Art: Sylvie Willms and her Stars

The Longines Masters has a tradition of inviting extraordinary equestrian artists to perfom. After Santi Serra in 2014 and in 2015 in Hong Kong, this year’s special guest is the wonderfully talented Sylvie Willms. Sylvie Willms is an exceptional horse performer from a Belgian family that has been involved in the performance arts for eight generations. What she can do with her six Arabian and Spanish horses and her pony on a track is simply astonishing.

Nothing’s been left to chance to ensure everyone can enjoy this unique equestrian event that spectators can witness both live onsite or shown on television or internet TV, as the top events of the Longines Masters of Paris will be broadcast on both Eurosport and Equidia channels. This is an international show jumping event like none other… a truly authentic “6-Star” luxury sporting experience.

www.mastersgrandslam.com

Source: Press release