Rendez-vous in Lausanne for a new stage of the Longines Masters series
After Paris, Hong Kong and New York, the Longines Masters are coming to Lausanne on the pristine shores of Lac Leman from June 20 to 23, for four days of great sport and spectacle.
Created and presented by EEM, creator of exceptional equestrian events, the prestigious Longines Masters series stands out from other competitions on the international show jumping circuit with its unique concept that brings together high-level sporting events, gastronomy, shopping, entertainment and activities for the whole family.
‘‘My creed, explains Christophe Ameeuw, EEM founder and CEO, is to draw attention to show jumping by offering the public a more enjoyable and accessible vision of our sport while ensuring the quality and values of a discipline that I care about.’’ It is a vision that develops audiences around the world and that he has successfully taken across three continents. ‘‘We are very proud of this new stage in Lausanne, capital of sport and Olympianism, headquarters of the International Equestrian Federation and, above all, the country of our partner Longines.’’
A nation that jumps at the international level
Switzerland is a great equestrian nation that regularly shines on the international scene. A few months ago, the 2012 Olympic champion and current world No. 1, Steve Guerdat (the Federer of jumping, as he has begun to be described on social networks), won his third World Cup, again ahead of another Swiss, Martin Fuchs. It was the fifth Swiss triumph in this emblematic final of the winter world championship. At the last World Equestrian Games, the same duo, friends in real life and on the competition grounds, finished on the second and third steps of the podium. In short, little Switzerland is one of the world’s leading show jumping nations. It has produced towering legends of the sport: Paul Weier, Max Hauri, Markus and Thomas Fuchs, the late Willi Melliger and now Steve Guerdat.
The Longines Masters’ ‘‘signature classes’’
On Saturday at noon, the Lausanne public will discover the first real highlight of the weekend: the Masters Power. This event is a real demonstration of power, as the poles can go up to two meters.
On Saturday evening, the now famous Longines Speed Challenge will follow, considered to be the fastest event in the world. Here, downed poles are only penalized by 2 seconds, which gives the riders who drop a pole a chance to catch up if they ride fast! This happened to Egyptian rider Nayel Nassar and Lucifer V, his amazing 13-year-old Westphalian bay gelding, in New York last month… and it didn’t prevent them from winning the Longines Grand Prix two days later as well.
The Longines Grand Prix is certainly the highlight of a Longines Masters, and the Lausanne event will be no exception. Running from 3:45 p.m. on Sunday in two rounds, it’s an Olympic-level event (1.60m) that has featured great champions such as Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander in Paris, Denis Lynch of Ireland in Hong Kong, and Egyptian Nayel Nassar in New York, all in just this fourth season! Three riders from three different continents: this is the ”We Ride the World” spirit, which is integral to this fabulous series. It should be noted that the Longines Grand Prix Lausanne is not part of the Grand Slam Indoor.
Amateur-friendly
Beyond these three major events, no less than 21 events will be held on Place Bellerive, an idyllic setting facing Lake Léman. Among them are events reserved for amateurs (and also for international professional riders developing young horses) and Swiss national riders with the Masters Two and Masters Three classes. This is a unique opportunity for these amateurs and new pros to meet the stars of the Masters One events, to exchange ideas or to be inspired by them. Each of these categories will be highlighted on Sunday with a fun «Accumulator with joker» event. 
Entertainment with style!
Lifestyle is also a trademark of the Longines Masters. In Lausanne, this will be reflected in a Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) celebration on June 21 during the famous Longines Masters after-party: DJs and concerts are on the program throughout the area. The warm-up arena is accessible to the public and surrounded by a friendly village of exhibitors dedicated to equestrian equipment. A second area will be dedicated to culture (including an equestrian bookshop), art, and the art of living, as well as daily after-parties, celebrations that begin as soon as the last event of the evening is over.
These are just a few of the ingredients needed for a new kind of equestrian event that the Swiss audience will discover on Place Bellerive in Lausanne from June 20 to 23.
Feel the vibe, enjoy the ride!
Find all the information on www.longinesmasters.com
Ticketing is available on: www.longinesmasters.com/en/ticketing/lausanne
Find the program on www.longinesmasters.com/en/lausanne/schedule
ABOUT EEM
With a passion for equestrian sports, Christophe Ameeuw–Founder and CEO of EEM and of the Longines Masters Series–created the Ecuries d’Ecaussinnes in 1997. Based in Belgium, the stables today enjoy an international reputation for trading competition horses, for high-end breeding, and for an academy that provides access to the best in equestrian training. The organization, as well as the reinvention of show jumping competitions, is the challenge that Christophe Ameeuw and his team have set for themselves. The company has developed by creating the «Masters» concept, which brings together under one roof the best of show jumping, entertainment and lifestyle experience.
After the successes of the Audi Masters in Brussels and the Gucci Paris Masters, EEM has added to its prestigious profile of events a new iconic competition, one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, the Longines Masters Series on three continents in Paris, Hong Kong and New York. Inspired by the legendary tournaments of the tennis Grand Slam, EEM has created the “Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping”, recognized by the FEI, which is the ultimate intercontinental challenge, offered to the world’s elite in show jumping with two levels of prizes: The Super Grand Slam, a bonus of 2.25 million Euros for winning three consecutive indoor Longines Grand Prix in the same season, and the Grand Slam, a bonus of 1 million Euros for three successive victories in the Longines Grand Prix from one season to the next.
In 2017, EEM created a new team competition, the Riders Masters Cup. Presented in collaboration with the EEF (European Equestrian Federation) and taking place alternately in Europe and the United States, this battle will oppose the two world powers of show jumping: Europe and the United States. On the Asian continent, meanwhile, there is the Asia Horse Week, a real meeting point for the international equestrian community in Asia, which was created during the Longines Masters in Hong Kong, thus demonstrating EEM’s desire to develop the international sector in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2019, the Longines Masters are enriched by a new prestigious stage: after Paris, Hong Kong and New York, Lausanne becomes the fourth leg of this intercontinental series.
Information on www.eemworld.com / www.longinesmasters.com / www.ridersmasterscup.com / www.asiahorseweek.com
ABOUT LONGINES
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.
LONGINES TITLE PARTNER AND OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER OF THE LONGINES MASTERS
The renowned Swiss watchmaker Longines is proud to be the Title Partner of the Longines Masters Series in Paris, Hong Kong, New York and Lausanne. Longines also lends its name to two highly anticipated competitions at the Longines Masters, the Longines Speed Challenge and the Longines Grand Prix.
The winged is also the Founding Partner of the Riders Masters Cup, a new innovative show jumping competition between the two major equestrian powers, the United States and Europe, in a never before seen transatlantic battle.
For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
www.longines.com
