Los Angeles, CA. September 15, 2015 – On October 1- 4, the world’s best riders will converge in California to compete for $1 million in prize money at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles. As the only FEI recognized CSI 5* show jumping competition on the West Coast, the American leg of the Longines Masters series has attracted top-ranked international riders, including 16 Olympians, 22 World Equestrian Games team members, 10 World Cup Finals medalists, the 2015 Pan American Games Team USA Bronze Medalists and Individual Gold Medalist McLain Ward.

 

“Los Angeles is a premier destination for international competition, and some of the best athletes in the world call it home,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “As we work to bring the Olympic Games to our city in 2024, we are thrilled to welcome the world’s top show jumpers—many of them Olympians and Olympic hopefuls—to compete in the Longines Masters of Los Angeles.”

 

Following his historic victory this weekend in Calgary, the amazing World Number 1, 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medalist Scott Brash has confirmed that he will kick off his 2015/2016 indoor season at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles. He will be competing in hopes of maintaining his twenty-month reign at the top of the rankings. He will be a major contender for the Longines Grand Prix on Sunday and a strong competitor to fellow British countryman and six-time Olympian John Whitaker. Whitaker will be competing for the chance to take home the €500,000 Masters Grand Slam bonus if he wins the Longines Grand Prix of Los Angeles following his victory at the Longines Masters of Hong Kong.

 

Other European riders will include Longines World Cup 2014 winner Daniel Deusser (World No. 2, GER) and 2012 Individual Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Guerdat (World No. 5, SUI). Jos Verlooy will return to defend his title in the Longines Grand Prix, and young prodigy Irish show jumper Bertran Allen will return to the ring after his August injury.

 

Representing the United States will be Number 1 U.S. and Number 3 World rider Beezie Madden, who is a two-time Olympic Team Gold Medalist and Individual Bronze Medalist, as well as her 2012 London Olympics Team USA teammates McLain Ward and Richard Fellers. The recent 2015 Pan American Games Bronze Medal-winning Team USA will also be competing: McLain Ward, Georgina Bloomberg, Lauren Hough and Kent Farrington, along with Jessica Springsteen and more 5* riders.

 

Along with 5* Masters competitions such as the Longines Speed Challenge, Gucci Gold Cup, and Longines Grand Prix, Prestige and Invitational classes and the Charity Pro-AM Style & Competition will provide a unique opportunity for 2*, 1* and amateur riders to compete alongside masters of the sport. Kaley Cuoco, Jennifer Gates, Destry Spielberg, Hannah Selleck, Eve Jobs, Will Simpson and more will take the ring to show off their skills throughout the four action-packed days.

 

The hospitality, lifestyle, entertainment and glamour of Los Angeles coupled with the level of sporting competition of show jumping have made this the must-attend event of the year.

 

Feel the momentum build as the Longines Masters approaches in the new video. To witness these remarkable riders in action, tickets are now available for purchase at http://mastersgrandslam.com/en/ticketing.

 

European Riders, listed by FEI Longines world rank as of September 15, 2015

- Scott Brash, GBR

- Daniel Deusser, GER

- Steve Guerdat, SUI

- Bertram Allen, IRL

- Kevin Staut, FRA

- Christian Ahlmann, GER 

- Marco Kutscher, GER

- John Whitaker, GBR

- Harrie Smolders, NED 

- Edwina Tops-Alexander, AUS 

- Patrice Delaveau, FRA

- Ben Maher, GBR

- Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani, QAT 

- Jérôme Guéry, BEL

- Piergiorio Bucci, ITA

- Jos Verlooy, BEL

- Jane Richard Philips, SUI

- Kevin Babington, IRL

- Samuel Parot, CHI

- Eduardo Menezes, BRA

- Francesco Franco, ITA

- Rik Hemeryck, BEL

 

U.S. Riders, listed by USEF rank as of September 15, 2015

- Beezie Madden 

- Kent Farrington 

- McLain Ward 

- Lauren Hough

- Todd Minikus 

- Georgina Bloomberg 

- Richard Fellers 

- Richard Spooner 

- Quentin Judge 

- Kirsten Coe

- Jessica Springsteen 

- Audrey Coulter