The 1.10-meter and 1.20-meter divisions shined in the arena with the two culminating classes: the LA84 Foundation Trophy competition and the Longines Masters of Paris Trophy competition. Amateur riders Rachel Dowson (USA) and Michelle Kerivan (USA) had their chance to shine at the front of the victory gallops for the two heights respectively.

In the 1.10-meter ring, Dowson piloted Senator de Vautenaivre CH (Rubens du Ri d'Asse x Calando II), an 11-year-old bay gelding, to the win with the fastest, double clear round in the jump off with a time of 39.533 seconds.

“Senator’s a new horse for me,” Dowson said. “I rode the same plan that I talked about with my trainer. It was important for me to be as accurate as possible—that’s what I needed to have a good round. It’s easy to trust my horse as long I keep my leg on him.”

The San Francisco-based rider has worked up to her goal of riding at this level. “I’ve enjoyed the setup at the show,” she added. “As opposed to the outdoor shows on the West Coast, I find that competing indoors takes it to a whole new level. I also enjoyed that the warm-up ring is in the heart of the action, which added extra specialness and adrenaline to the experience.”

Dowson also took advantage of the well-stocked vendors in the Prestige Village, shopping at Dy’on for tack and at Valencia Saddlery for ice boots for her horse. “I made sure that my horse stayed as comfortable as possible throughout the show,” she said.

Nicolette Hirt (USA) placed second with a time of 41.174 seconds aboard her horse Cascall (Catoki x Landor S), a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding that she purchased only a week ago.

In the 1.20-meter Longines Masters of Paris Trophy, Kerivan, an amateur rider that consistently rode well throughout the show, finally found her way to the top with a time of 40.814 seconds, just ahead of Alexandra Crown’s (USA) 40.960 seconds.

“I went in and rode my plan,” Kerivan said about her round aboard Colin, an 11-year-old bay gelding. “I wasn’t sure of the last line, and I ended up doing seven strides instead of six. My horse is super brave, fast, beautiful, and Irish. I’ve had him for about three months.”

Kerivan set the goal of showing at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles after she attended last year as a spectator. “I love the show,” she said. “I came last year to watch and decided to do it for sure. I love watching the big classes with the European riders. I’ll be back next year for sure.”