Press release Longines Masters – Germany’s Marco Kutscher is the toast of world show jumping after winning today’s Longines Grand Prix and becoming the first rider in history to win the Grand Slam Indoor Super Bonus presented by EEM. He is is now more than $HK3 MILLION richer after winning today’s Longines Grand Prix. In addition to his share of first prize money, Kutscher will take home a bonus cheque for 250,000 EUROS for winning a second non-consecutive Longines Grand Prix.
He also triumphed in this prestigious class in the American leg of the series last October. Kutscher, currently ranked number 18 in the world, was overjoyed with the win; “I am now a Hong Kong millionaire,” he joked.
Winning today was an extraordinary achievement by Kutscher who is the first rider to meet the challenge of winning two out of three Grand Prix events in this intercontinental series that takes place in Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong.
Founder of this innovative series, EEM CEO Christophe Ameeuw congratulated Kutscher for historic performance. “We are ending the fourth edition of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong on a high and it is incredible to see Marco win this Grand Slam Indoor Super Bonus and great for the public here to be able to witness history and an incredible standard of sport,” Ameeuw said.
Longines Grand Prix Runner-up Kevin Staut was full of praise for Kutscher and not surprised he stole victory in the last round. “The way Marco performed in the opening round I knew it was going to be very hard to beat him,” Staut said. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano finished third (46.74 sec), current world number 2 Simon Delestre from France was fourth placed (46.76 sec) and Irish young gun Bertram Allen (47.11 sec) was fifth.
Massimo Dutti Trophy
Popular French rider Roger-Yves Bost broke through for a win in today’s Massimo Dutti Trophy, 1m45 Against the Clock. Riding 11 year-old gelding Record d’Oreal, Bosty recorded a time of 54.87 sec to snare victory much to the delight of the crowd who have become big fans of the champion rider since he first began competing at the Longines Masters of Hong Kong four years ago. Shortly after his victory Bosty met his many fans for a signature session inside the Massimo Dutti boutique in the Prestige Village. In the Massimo Dutti Trophy he defeated Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer (55.59 sec).
Schwizer has had an outstanding show so far without winning. Last night he placed third in the Longines Speed Challenge behind Ireland’s Betram Allen and earlier that day he was second in the Airbus Trophy won by British legend John Whitaker. Shwizer will be hoping to break through for a much deserved first win of the show in today’s Longines Grand Prix aboard PSG Future. Based on his current strong form, many believe he has a strong chance of winning the feature event of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong. Current FEI World Number 2 Simon Delestre finished third in today’s Massimo Dutti Trophy riding Stardust Quinhon. If he manages to win today’s Longines Grand Prix there is a possibility he will become number 1. At the Longines Masters of Paris in December he finished second in the Longines Grand Prix to Patrice Delaveau.
Announcing the next season of the Longines Masters Series 2016/2017
We look forward to welcoming you to the next season of the Longines Masters Series, the Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping, which kicks off in Los Angeles from September 29-October 2, continuing in Paris from December 1-4, and again reaching its Asian leg in Hong Kong from February 10-12, 2017.
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Source: Press release Longines Masters
