In 1984, Los Angeles, California hosted the best equestrians in the world in the Summer Olympics. Thirty years later, it is once again the home to a World Class event in show jumping. EEM World created the Masters Grand Slam Indoor to glorify the equestrian community by combining top show jumping and the glamour of the Grand Slam in tennis. Los Angeles served as the induction of the American Grand Slam, adding to the partner competitions of Gucci Paris Masters and Longines Hong Kong Masters. After the outstanding success of the first edition of the Longines Los Angeles Masters, event director Matthieu Gheysen discussed the promising future of the event. “We look very much forward to the next edition next year and, of course, we look forward to being here for many years to come.” American show jumper Georgina Bloomberg thought the event was a step in the right direction for the future of equestrian sports. “To have the best riders in the world come here and compete I think is very good for American show jumping.” The Longines Los Angeles Masters lived up to its expectations as the first edition of the Masters Grand Slam Indoor in the North American continent. The next event of the circuit will be the Gucci Paris Masters held December 4-7.
Some highlights from the weekend:
Friday night was ladies night! Jane Richard Philips of Switzerland claimed the victory in the Longines Speed Challenge. Philips put the pressure on when she laid down an astonishing round at 60.97 seconds. Constant van Paesschen (BEL) rode an incredibly fast track at 61.13 seconds, but it was not enough to capture the title. Steve Guerdat (FRA) finished third to round out the podium of international riders. Philips was ecstatic about her first major victory aboard her 11-year-old gelding, Dieudonne de Guldenboom, who she’s had since he was 4 years old.
The Battle of the Nations on Saturday included riders from 11 nations, but it was a home victory for American show jumper, and currently third in the world rankings, Kent Farrington. The jump-off featured 16 riders, the top 8 from the United States and top 8 from the other nations. Farrington and 12-year-old mare Blue Angel were sixth to compete in the jump-off and galloped through the finish line at an impressive time of 39.54 seconds. Nayel Nassar (EGY) thrilled the crowd with an impressive inside turn after the third element, but could not catch Farrington’s time and earned a second place finish. Constant van Paesschen (BEL) earned a spot on the podium once again and finished third.
A massive crowd filled the Los Angeles Convention Center in anticipation for the Longines Grand Prix. 44 of the best riders in the world battled the challenging course, with only six advancing to the jump-off. First to go in the jump-off was 18-year-old Jos Verlooy (BEL) and he did not disappoint. Verlooy rode with speed and handiness to finish with a time of 38.11, raising the stakes for the remaining riders. Steve Guerdat (FRA) challenged Verlooy’s track, but was just shy of his time at 38.98. Georgina Bloomberg proudly represented the United States in third place on the podium.
