LA Masters Rider List Unveiled

By Paula Parisi September 15, 2015

Today, 36 international riders have been announced as qualified to compete for $1 Million in prize money at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles CSI 5*, October 1- 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Thirteen U.S. riders will compete with the top 22 from Europe and one from the Middle East in what in only its second year has become a highlight of the West Coast show jumping season. Local riders are excited about the many invitational classes and the opportunity experience an event that has the feel of a Continental indoor.

Taking to the ring for the main event will be FEI/Longines world ranked No. 1 Scott Brash (GBR) and his extraordinary Hello Sanctos, as well as No. 2, Germany’s Daniel Duesser, and No. 3, our own Beezie Madden of the USA. The tournament has also drawn the first 5* Qatari rider to compete on the West Coast, Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani, which is quite an accomplishment, and particularly meaningful given that small nation’s commitment to extending  show jumping’s appeal beyond Europe.

Also, U.S. rider Audrey Coulter, who has been performing admirably on the Longines Global Champions Tour this summer. Coulter is making news today: the California-based rider just purchased last year’s L.A. Masters winning horse, Domino vd Middelstede.

“Los Angeles is a premier destination for international competition, and some of the best athletes in the world call it home,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “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.”

Included in the mix are 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. Richard Spooner, who finished fourth in the $1 Million CP International this weekend at Spruce, will also be

Brash joins on the heels of his stunning Grand Slam victory this past weekend in Calgary, kicking off his 2015/2016 indoor season at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles. Brash has been No. 1 on the FEI global ranking since 2013. He will be competing against 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 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 in addition to Beezie Madden — currently No. 1 in the USEF rankings and a three-time Olympic Medalist fresh off her win at the HITS CP $1 Million CSI 5* Grand Prix — are her 2012 London Olympics Team USA teammates McLain Ward and Richard Fellers. The entire 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.

Richard Spooner, a local who does SoCal proud on the international circuit (he and Cristallo were the top U.S. finishers in the $1 Million CP International at this weekend at Spruce, claiming fourth place) will also be in the hunt.

In addition to the five 5* Masters competitions — the Longines Speed Challenge, Prix Hollywood Reporter, Prix Airbus, Gucci Gold Cup, Longines Grand Prix — the schedule includes CSI 1* and 2* Prestige and Invitational classes and a Charity Pro-AM Style & Competition that will provide opportunity for amateurs and  riders of different levels 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 Hollywood coupled with the level of sporting competition of show jumping have made this event a real attention-getter and a must-attend social event of the year here in Los Angeles.

Longines produced a slick new video touting the event. For more information or to  purchase tickets, visit  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
• Denis Lynch, IRE
• 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
• Paige Johnson
• Audrey Coulter

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