Kevin Staut Strikes Gold as French Sweep the Emirates Gold Cup at the Longines Masters

© Bernstein Associates: Daniel Deusser and Equita van't Zorgvliet
Daniel Deusser and Equita van’t Zorgvliet

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 2, 2016) – Saturday night at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles was the epitome of glamour, prestige and excitement with top-level show jumping and entertainment at the Long Beach Convention Center. The evening featured two renowned classes: The Emirates Gold Cup and the Pro-Am Style & Competition for Charity. The third night of the prestigious competition attracted celeb spectators Kaley Cuoco, William Shatner, Selma Blair and Arianna Rockefeller.

The Emirates Gold Cup showcased the power and agility of show jumping as the world’s best riders jumped the course designed by Uliano Vezzani. After a competitive first round, the top ten and their horses took to the course again. The winning round came to an exciting finish as the French swept the podium. Kevin Staut and Elky van het Indihof HDC claimed the top prize with a time of 35.52 seconds, with Simon Delestre and Julien Epaillard coming in second and third, respectively.

The morning portion of the competition was highlighted with the City of Long Beach Trophy class, in which Steve Guerdat took home the top prize with a time of 33.83 seconds. Also in the morning session, the Terranea Resort Trophy was won by Estelle Navet, while Amelie Bittar claimed the Ecuries d’Ecaussinnes Trophy.

The afternoon and evening showcased the fun and philanthropic aspect of the Longines Masters Series with the much-anticipated Pro-Am Style & Competition for Charity. The event featured seven teams, each consisting of one professional rider and one amateur rider, each competing for the charity of their choice while in full costume and riding to music matching the theme.

© Bernstein Associates: Daniel Deusser hoists the trophy
Daniel Deusser hoists the trophy

The team with the best style was decided by a celebrity jury composed of Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan, Lawrence Zarian, and entertainment reporter Sam Rubin. Winners were judged on the number of penalties, the teams’ style and elegance, as well as the horses’ style.

Nayel Nassar and teammate Sloan Elmassian were crowned the Pro-Am for Charity winners dressed as disco kings with afros and all to benefit Ride On, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities through equine-related therapy, recreation and fun. Other notable competitors included Steven Spielberg’s daughter, Destry Spielberg and Jane Richard-Phillips riding as samurai ninjas competing on behalf of Just World International.

The seven teams included:

Kristin Hardin and Nikki Hirt for Compton Jr. Posse Youth Equestrian Program
Nayel Nassar and Sloan Elmassian for Ride On
Francie Steinwedell-Calvin and Vani Khosla for Thrive Animal Rescue
Destry Spielberg and Jane Richards-Phillips for Just World International
Will Simpson and Ben Ebeling for Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases
Eduardo Menezes and Jean-Christophe Mely for Special Spirit
Joie Gatlin and Chandler Meadows for Semper Fi Fund

Before each class, spectators were treated to the unique, up-close experience of watching the world’s best riders warm up. Located in the heart of the Prestige Village, the paddock mirrored the extravagance of the brands on display including Longines and Hermès with a luxurious Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4.

© Bernstein Associates: Kent - congrats from Pedro
Kent Farrington was a winner over the weekend in Los Angeles

The Longines Masters of Los Angeles will conclude on Sunday afternoon with the signature event, the Longines Grand Prix, where riders will compete for the chance to make history by taking home the new Super Grand Slam Bonus of 2.25 million Euros.

Established in three of the world’s most iconic cities — Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong — the Longines Masters Series, “Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping” is renowned as one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world.

Created by EEM and inspired by the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the Series rapidly developed abroad, with the Longines Masters of Hong Kong in 2013 and the Longines Masters of Los Angeles in 2014. In 2015, the intercontinental trilogy became the Longines Masters.

Presented by EEM and recognized by the FEI, the “Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping” is the ultimate challenge, with two levels of prizes:

© Bernstein Associates: Winning smile from Kevin Staut
Winning smile from Kevin Staut

The Super Grand Slam, a bonus of 2.25 million Euros for winning 3 consecutive Longines Grand Prix in the same season: Los Angeles, followed by Paris and then Hong Kong.

The Grand Slam: a bonus of 1 million Euros for three successive victories in the Longines Grand Prix from one season to the next, (ex: Paris > Hong Kong > Los Angeles, or Hong Kong > Los Angeles > Paris.)

These events are broadcast in more than 120 countries and reach up to 550 million households. Every edition of the Longines Masters is a must-attend event bringing together top-level athletes and amateurs alike, celebrities and corporate decision-makers from around the world, all who come to enjoy a unique experience created by exceptional moments in sport, entertainment, glamour, gastronomy and contemporary art.

Save the dates for the season two:

•       Longines Masters of Los Angeles: 29 September-2 October, 2016

•       Longines Masters of Paris: 1-4 December, 2016

•       Longines Masters of Hong Kong: 10-12 February, 2017

© Bernstein Associates: Podium - Emirates
Emirates Podium

Longines Grand PrixCSI5* – Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.60 m)FEI Art. 238.2.2 Competition counts for the Longines RankingK.MorrisonD.DistlerS.Ellenbruch

1    565    Deusser,Daniel/Equita van’t Zorgvliet    37.67

2    644    Nassar,Nayel/Lordan    –        38.55

3    576    Smolders,Harrie/Don VHP Z    –    39.31

4    585    Bost,Roger Yves/Pegase du Murier    39.48

5    618    O’Connor,Cian/Good Luck    –            39.98

6    586    Delestre,Simon/Chesall Zimequest    39.12

7    582    Staut,Kevin/Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC    39.58

8    652    Brash,Scott/Hello M’Lady    –    40.45

9    673    Towell,Jack/S F Ariantha    –    40.82

10    524    Goldstein-Engle,Margie/Royce    –    58.63

11    628    Delaveau,Patrice/Orient Express HDC    –
–    69.75
12    578    Epaillard,Julien/Safari d’Auge    –
–    71.53
13    572    Houston,Philip/Loewenherz    –
–    71.82
14    614    Menezes,Eduardo/Quintol    –
–    74.46
15    570    Kutscher,Marco/Clenur    –
–    74.51
16    525    Fellers,Richard/Flexible    –
–    74.85
17    632    Guerdat,Steve/Bianca    –
–    75.14
18    649    Polle,Karen/With Wings    –
–    75.25
19    533    Farrington,Kent/Creedance    –
–    77.02
20    529    Spooner,Richard/Cristallo    –
–    77.60
21    548    Davis,Lucy/Cassis 54    –
–    77.91
22    516    Gonzalez,Enrique/Chacna    –
–    78.92
23    604    Kochetova,Liubov/Balou du Reventon    –    –    –    85.71
24    510    Parot,Samuel/Quick du Pottier    –
–    71.06
25    648    Lynch,Denis/Campino 344    –
–    75.57
26    538    Bloomberg,Georgina/Lilli    –
–    76.64
27    599    Verlooy,Jos/Caracas    –
–    76.84
28    620    Gaudiano,Emanuele/Caspar 232    –
–    73.75
29    502    Surbey,Christopher/Carnaval    –
–    77.72
30    623    Swail,Conor/Hetman Of Colors    –
–    83.65

EMIRATES Gold CupCSI5* – Int. jumping competition over two rounds (1.55 m)FEI Article 276.2 Competition counts for the Longines RankingK.MorrisonC.Skinner-RobsonS.Ellenbruch

1 583  Staut,Kevin/Elky van het Indihof HDC – 35.52

2 586  Delestre,Simon/Chesall Zimequest – 35.79

3 578  Epaillard,Julien/Safari d’Auge – 36.04

4 543  Springsteen,Jessica/Tiger Lily – 36.28

5 627  Delaveau,Patrice/Leontine Ledimar HDC – 37.27

6 570  Kutscher,Marco/Clenur – 45.96

7 536  Bloomberg,Georgina/Caleno 3 – 37.53

8 603  Kochetova,Liubov/Urus 2 – 47.33

9 653  Brash,Scott/Hello Forever – 37.61

10 620  Gaudiano,Emanuele/Caspar 232 –

11 673  Towell,Jack/S F Ariantha –  70.80

12 565  Deusser,Daniel/Equita van’t Zorgvliet –  72.17

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