New York, New York, USA  – April 24, 2019 – The officially kicked off during the Riders Masters Cup team draw party on Wednesday, April 24, hosted by Georgina Bloomberg and Event Founder Christophe Ameeuw at Bloomberg Philanthropies in New York City. The second-annual Longines Masters of New York runs April 25 through 28, at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, as the third leg of the Longines Masters Series following stops in Paris and Hong Kong.

The Riders Masters Cup Draw determined the composition of the first five duels in a match-up between the world’s two major equestrian powers, the United States and Europe. The Riders Masters Cup will make its second appearance in New York on Saturday, April 27, after launching at the Longines Masters of Paris in 2017. Riders Europe has dominated the series with three wins to date, but Riders USA will be hungry for a win in their home arena.

Round 1 Duels

Duel #1: Lillie Keenan (USA) vs. Pius Schwizer (SUI)
Duel #2: Harrie Smolders (NED) vs. Beezie Madden (USA)
Duel #3: Laura Chapot (USA) vs. Darragh Kenny (IRL)
Duel #4: Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) vs. McLain Ward (USA)
Duel # 5: Devin Ryan (USA) vs. Edward Levy (FRA)

“When Christophe came up with this idea, in the beginning I thought it was a brilliant idea. I’m not so sure I like it anymore because [being beaten] three times in a row is a little too much,” joked Riders USA team captain Robert Ridland. “The crowds have been treated to some unbelievable competition. It has gone down to the final pair every time and brought the speed element of our sport to the highest level in a different format. The head-to-head aspect of rider against rider and the strategy that goes into the second round is quite hectic and very exciting. I think it’s tremendous what it has brought to the sport.”

In the first round of the Riders Masters Cup (Table A-against the clock), the winning competitor scores 10 points for his or her team, and the defeated competitor – if they have completed the course – will score five points. At the end of the first round, the team leaders reset the duels, with the team temporarily in the lead getting the benefit of choosing first. In the second round (Table C-each fallen pole adds three seconds to the competitor’s time), the winners score 20 points, the losers 10. The team with the most points after two rounds is crowned the champion.

“What a great night from Christophe Ameeuw who has made a new innovation in our sport,” said Riders Europe team captain Philippe Guerdat. “We’ve all known this sport for a long time and now it is very different. There is a feeling of interest in Europe because in the beginning it was not always easy to build a team and now there are quite a lot of riders who like to come and be on the team. Thank you to all the partners of this competition and Christophe Ameeuw and his team who make this competition nicer every year.”

Tickets for the Riders Masters Cup evening session on Saturday start at just $35 and children 14 and under are free. While the Riders Masters Cup is the main event, spectators will be treated to thrilling competition including the Masters One 1.50m CSI 5* class, divine shopping, performances by equestrian artist Santi Serra, which feature canine and equine liberty training, as well as the Afterparty by Henri PFR, the official Tomorrowland DJ!

Source: Press release from Pascal Renauldon / Agence R&B Presse for Longines Masters / EEM

Photo: © Longines Masters / EEM