Nayel Nassar Crowned Master of Speed in Longines Speed Challenge

Speed demon Nayel Nassar of Egypt and his trusty steed, Lucifer V, claimed the highlight event on Friday, April 26, at the Longines Masters of New York by racing to victory in the Longines Speed Challenge CSI5* at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Longines Masters of New York runs April 25 through 28 as the third leg of the Longines Masters Series following stops in Paris and Hong Kong.  

Using the same speed track at the Paris and Hong Kong editions of the Longines Masters, course designer Frank Rothenberger gave competitors numerous options for inside turns and short cuts for those brave enough to chance their luck.

Despite knocking one rail down for a two-second time penalty, Nassar moved to the top of the leaderboard with an adjusted time of 58.45 seconds and stayed there.  Nassar sat on the podium – and on pins and needles – watching the remaining competitors attempt to catch his time.  Kristen Vanderveen of the United States came the closest but still finished more than two seconds off the winning pace with a time of 61.07 seconds, demonstrating just how fast Nassar had been.

“He’s naturally a really quick horse,” said Nassar of Lucifer V, a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Evergate Stables LLC.  “I knew that if I got on a bit of a lick and kept it the whole way around, we would be in a pretty good spot.

“It’s Jenn’s birthday today and I told her that I wanted to win one for her so I was really glad that I was able to get it done even with the rail,” continued Nassar in reference to his girlfriend’s, Jennifer Gates, 23rd birthday.  “It’s pretty crazy that we were still able to win the class even with a fence down.”

Nassar, 28, is no stranger to the unique Longines Speed Challenge, the fastest class in show jumping sport.  In 2016, he claimed victory in the same event riding Lordan during the Los Angeles edition before the U.S. leg of the Longines Masters moved east in 2018.

“I really love this Longines Masters Series,” said Nassar.  “It’s a great venue, great footing, good ring.  It provides really good sport and the horses have been jumping really well all week.  I’ve been to Paris and L.A. and now here in New York.”

Finishing behind runner-up Vanderveen and her mount, Bull’s Run Faustino de Tili, was Olivier Philippaerts.  The young Belgian left all the rails in place and raced through the timers in 61.33 seconds riding Insolente des Dix Bonniers.  Switzerland’s Beat Mändli took fourth riding Galan S to a time of 61.70 seconds while Israel’s Daniel Bluman rounded out the top five with Cartouche in a close time of 61.88 seconds.

Adrienne Sternlicht Makes it Two in a Row

For the second day in a row, Adrienne Sternlicht stood atop the podium at the Longines Masters of New York.  Hot off her win in Thursday’s Masters One EQ Exchange 1.45m riding Fantast, the 2018 World Equestrian Games team gold medalist returned to the NYCB Live coliseum to guide Toulago to victory in the Masters One Prestige Italia 1.55m.

Saving the best for last, Sternlicht of nearby Greenwich, CT, was the final competitor to challenge the jump-off track set by Germany’s Frank Rothenberger.  Knowing exactly what it would take to win, the 25-year-old put her foot on the gas pedal and raced to victory in a time of 33.96 seconds, leaving fellow American Beezie Madden and her mount, Breitling LS, winners of the 2018 Longines World Cup Final, in second place with a time of 34.17 seconds.

“I have an amazing partnership with my horse,” said Sternlicht of Toulago, her partner of three years.  “I think that is a testament not only to my closeness with the horse but also my grooms who shower him with love.  He really fights for me as a result of that.  He has a heart of gold and anytime he competes like that it makes me really proud.  He loves it!”

Stopping the clock in 34.30 seconds, Olivier Philippaerts of Belgium took third riding H&M Cue Channa 42.  The pair had enjoyed a win in the Longines Masters series in February, claiming the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy 1.50m.  Another Belgian competitor, Pieter Clemens, also jumped double clear to place fourth riding Icarus in a time of 35.41 seconds.

Michael Golinowski Wins Inaugural IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational

The Longines Masters of New York played host to the inaugural IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) Metropolitan Equitation Invitational on Friday afternoon.  A total of 25 riders were invited to contest the event which saw riders pilot unfamiliar mounts, matched by random draw, over a jumping course.

Following the jumping round where the riders were judged on effectiveness, style, and form, the top 12 were invited back for a flat phase where they again rode a new horse, loaned specifically for the event.  Taking the IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational to a whole new level, the riders were judged by legendary horseman George Morris and stylish grand prix rider, Brianne Goutal-Marteau, both of the United States.  Any rider who advanced to the flat phase could be confident that they truly earned it.

Much to his surprise, Michael Golinowski, a freshman studying business administration at Bridgewater College in Virginia, was announced as the winner.  Among his bevy of generous prizes was a new Scott Stewart signature saddle by Equiline.

“It was unbelievable to say the least,” said Golinowksi, who rode Orion in the jumping phase and was matched with the feisty mare, Zazu, in the flat phase.  “I was very excited when organizer Michael Dowling contacted my coach and myself and invited me.  I did not possibly ever imagine that I would win.  It was quite an honor and quite the experience.  For them to pick me as the winner is something I haven’t fully processed yet.”

Reserve Championship honors were awarded to Elizabeth Traband, a junior at Penn State University.

“Simply getting to be at an event like this is unbelievable,” said Traband who rode Belle in the jumping phase and drew Bailey for the flat.  “It’s the best riders in the world.  Just being able to walk in that ring and being able to say I showed here; I get goosebumps thinking about the whole experience!  It’s amazing that they are having us here.”

Thea Chafee of East Greenwich, RI, enjoyed a top three finish matched with Renaissance followed by McCree Z for the flat phase.

“It was such an honor to be here and be in one of these big rings with Brianne and George Morris judging,” said Chafee, a junior majoring in psychology at Colgate University.  “There are so many people who made this happen; our coaches, our teams, Michael Dowling for putting this together, PonyApp, Longines Masters for having us.  I’m really grateful for them.  It’s really exciting and not something college riders get to do every day.”

Champagne Showers for Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa

Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, individual gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, proved why he’s a champion by winning the Masters Two Champagne Barons de Rothschild 1.45m on Friday afternoon in his Longines Masters of New York debut.

Pessoa enjoyed an easy win, cruising to victory in a time of 57.61 seconds compared to the 60.42 seconds posted by Madison Goetzmann who took second place riding Prestigious.  His winning mount, Farrero, is a nine-year-old Dutch-bred gelding owned by his student, 18-year-old Coco Fath, who is also contesting the Longines Masters of New York this week.

“They have used the infrastructure really nicely here,” said Pessoa in praise of the four-day international show jumping event held at NYCB LIVE, home ice for the New York Islanders NHL hockey team.  “The arena is nice.  It’s small and everything comes up quick, but that’s indoor show jumping.  It’s great to promote show jumping in the area and encourage people to maybe start riding.”

Weekend Warrior Kyle Olson Wins in New York

Kyle Olson showcased power and speed to claim victory in the two-phase Masters Two Eastern Hay 1.20m riding Jacobijn van T&L, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding she purchased from Sam Edelman.  It was an all-American podium with Summer Paulos taking second riding Balans RV while Emma Marlowe rode Grace to a top three finish.

Working at Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management, Olson balances a full-time job with her competitive riding career.  She lives in Manhattan while her horses are based in South Salem, NY, making Olson a self-proclaimed “weekend warrior.”

“It’s my passion; I love it and it’s great to be able to do this on the weekends,” said the 28-year-old who is making her Longines Masters of New York debut.  “It’s so great to be here.  The energy is amazing and I think the horses really respond to the excitement and being in the stadium.  We have a whole team here which is nice and my family was here watching so it was very exciting.  There are quite a few of us competing here who grew up and live in New York so it’s nice to bring what we love home.”

Long Island’s Laura Bowery Celebrates Local Victory

It was a hometown victory for Laura Bowery in the Masters Two Kastel Denmark 1.35m on Friday, April 26, at the Longines Masters of New York taking place at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.

Bowery topped a starting field of 30 entries by riding Zerly, her 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, to the fastest clear round.  Her time of 49.42 seconds gave her the win over Canada’s Jacqueline Steffens, 25, who tried to catch Bowery’s time but fell short, stopping the clock in 50.18 seconds aboard Henri vh Akenhof.

“I love it here, it’s my hometown,” said Bowery of South Hampton, NY, who is competing at the Longines Masters New York for the second year.  “My kids are coming tomorrow.  We travel so much so it’s nice that my family and friends can come watch.  That’s really special.  It’s a beautiful horse show and the atmosphere is amazing.”

The Longines Masters of New York is on EEM.tv & CBS Sports

Watch the best riders of the world compete in the 2nd edition of the Longines Masters of New York! 
- EEM.tv (FREE): Thursday, April 25, at 7:45AM EDT to Sunday, April 28, at 6:00PM EDT

- CBS Sports: The Longines Speed Challenge on Friday, April 26, at 11:30PM EDT and Saturday, April 27, at 10PM EDT
The Riders Masters Cup on Saturday, April 27, at 11PM
The Longines Grand Prix of New York on Sunday April 28, at 9PM
For full information on the 2018/2019 Longines Masters, visit www.longinesmasters.com.

Final Results: $100,000 Longines Speed Challenge Masters One CSI 5*

1 LUCIFER V: 2006 Westphalian gelding by Lord Dezi x Grandeur
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables LLC: 58.45

2 BULL RUN’S FAUSTINO DE TILI: 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Berlin x Darco
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC: 61.07

3 INSOLENTE DES DIX BONNIERS: 2008 BWP mare by Winningmood van de Arenberg x Concorde
OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Team Philippaerts: 61.33

4 GALAN S: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Indoctro x Calypso d'Herbiers
BEAT MÄNDLI (SUI), Grant Road Partners LLC: 61.70

5 CARTOUCHE: 2007 Silla Argentina stallion
DANIEL BLUMAN (ISR), Over the Top Stables: 61.88

6 FASTHER: 2010 KWPN gelding by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Farmer
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 62.55

7 ULANE BELMANIERE: 2008 Selle Francais mare by Muriesco du Cotentin x Timorrak des Isles
PIUS SCHWIZER (SUI), Daniel Etter: 62.66

8 KING KONG D’AVIFAUNA: 2010 BWP gelding by Beaulieu’s Think Big x Kashmir van Schuttershof
WILM VERMEIR (BEL), Avifauna Bvba: 63.91

9 DARKO'S PROMISE: 2008 Irish Sport Horse by unknown x Semper Odem
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder:  64.32

10 KINGSTON VAN HET EIKENHOF: 2010 BWP gelding by Epleaser van’t Heike x Alexis Z
EMANUELE GAUDIANO (ITA), C.A.M. vd Oetelaar, Equita KFT: 65.36

11 CAS 2: 2007 KWPN gelding by Indoctro x Numero Uno
HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED) Copernicus Stables LLC: 65.39

12 CALDERO: 2008 SWB gelding by Camaro M x Cortez
PIETER CLEMENS (BEL), Jos Lansink Horses Bvba: 65.47

Final Results: Prestige Italia Masters One CSI 5*

1 TOULAGO: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Toulon x Carthago ZIsa
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms LLC: 0/0/33.96

2 BREITLING LS: 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quintero x Accord II
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/34.17

3 H&M CUE CHANNA 42: 2006 SWB mare by Cardento 933 x Robin Z
OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Malin Baryard AB, Stuteri Arch: 0/0/34.30

4 ICARUS: 2008 BWP gelding by Querlybet Hero x Skippy II
PIETER CLEMENS (BEL), Jos Lansink Bvba & Ashford Farm BVB: 0/0/35.41

5 DM JACQMOTTE: 2009 SBS gelding by Toulon x Indoctro
WILM VERMEIR (BEL), Bongaerts: 0/0/36.87

6 LUIBANTA BH: 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare by Luidam x Abantos
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Gochman Sport Horses: 0/4/34.93

7 ARMIK: 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Armitage x Justinian xx
CAPT. BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Brian Cournane and M/M Bob Stiller: 0/8/37.58

8 SKYHORSE: 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Calvaro x Quidam de Revel
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 1/62.37

9 BARDOLINA 2: 2009 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Landos
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm LLC: 1/62.52

10 RAPIDASH: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Chaqui Z x Lancelot
MCLAIN WARD (USA), McLain Ward: 1/62.60

11 VIVA COLOMBIA: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Couleur-Rubin x Landor S
BRIANNE GOUTAL-MARTEAU (USA), Rose Hill Farm: 1/64.68

12 REBECA LS: 2006 La Silla mare by Rebozo la Silla x Cassini I
EDWARD LEVY (FRA), Remarkable Farms LP: 4/56.71