COVID-19 Pandemic Forces Event’s First Cancellation

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of this year’s Hampton Classic Horse Show. The Hampton Classic, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, would have been celebrating its 45th year in late August at its world-class show grounds in Bridgehampton, NY. The Hampton Classic will return in 2021, August 29 - September 5.

In a spectacular start to the Europe Division 1 series, Switzerland pipped reigning series champions Belgium in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of France 2019 at La Baule (FRA) today where the host nation lined up third. Clear rounds are key to success, and there were plenty who managed to leave all the poles in place on the track set by crack French course designer Frederic Cottier despite a testing time-allowed of 75 seconds. But double-clears are even better, and when the Swiss posted two of the the five recorded this afternoon, thanks to superb efforts from team pathfinder Niklaus Rutschi (53) and anchorman Steve Guerdat (36), they beat the Belgians by a single penalty point.

Daniel Deusser kicked off his campaign for the 2020 Longines Global Champions Tour title with a stunning win in Doha against the cream of show jumping. The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha thrilled spectators tonight in a spectacular showdown with on-form German champion Deusser taking top honours at the first event of the season. Delighted Deusser also clinched the first golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs.

New Zealand make it an historic double in Abu Dhabi, UAE and Syria qualify for Final!
Only seconds separate runner-up Egyptians from their hosts in third New Zealand claimed the honours in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the United Arab Emirates at Abu Dhabi (UAE) for the second time in two years today when pinning Egypt into runner-up spot and the host-nation into third. It was another piece of Kiwi equestrian history in the making as anchorman, Daniel Meech, explained.

At the close of Round 1 in the $230,000 CSIO5* Longings FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA at the Palm Beach Masters Series, Team USA was one of three nations sitting on a score of 8 along with Mexico and Israel.  Once the sun went down on the beautiful Deeridge Farms, it took a dramatic jump-off between America’s Beezie Madden and Great Britain’s Alexandra Thornton to determine which team would ‘jump’ to the highest step of the podium.
— By Simona Diale, International Horse Press

McLain Ward (USA) and Noche de Ronda eclipsed a top-tier field of 45 in the $213,300 Longines Grand Prix CSIO5* on Valentine’s Day at Deeridge Farms. Fifth to return for the shortened track, Ward’s time of 37.86 seconds was enough to sneak past Billy Twomey (IRL) and Kimba Flamenco in second place, with Ward’s countrywoman Margie Engle and Dicas in third.

To win the World Cup in Bordeaux is always a special moment in a rider’s career as it adds his name to a prestigious list comprising the greatest sportsmen of the discipline since 45 years. Today, it is an equally prestigious rider and world number one Swiss Steve Guerdat who adds his name to this hall of fame. A beautiful victory after a competition so exciting it almost deserves an Oscar for the best scenario!

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny laid it all on the line, besting a three-horse jump-off to win the $213,300 CSI4*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington, Presented by Canadian Pacific. The penultimate east coast qualifier for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas took place under idyllic conditions on Sunday at scenic Deeridge Farms in Wellington.

 Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Classic Dream won the $213,300 CSI4*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington Presented by Canadian Pacific at the Palm Beach Masters Series®. Photo by Kathy Russell Photography

This amazing pair boasts an fabulous totaof sixty plus international wins over the past five years, twelve of which in 2019! Tonight, Emanuele Gaudiano and Carlotta 232 confirmed their status when they won the much acclaimed 2019 Speed Challenge of Paris in a super time of 60’’48 without a single pole down: a repeat for the winners of the same flagship competition during the Longines Masters of Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer. "I'm extremely lucky to ride such an amazing mare. Each round with her is a pleasure - even more so at a show like this one where the stands are packed", he commented.

German compatriot Ahlmann lines up second; Belgium’s Devos is new League leader.
Pret a Tout more than lived up to his name when carrying German ace, Marcus Ehning, to victory in today’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2019/2020 Western European League qualifier at Madrid in Spain. Fourth to go in a breathtaking nine-horse jump-off, the pair took the lead with a spectacular run that stopped the clock in 43.30 seconds and couldn’t be caught. Ehning’s compatriot and 2011 series champion. Christian Ahlmann. came a close second with his exciting nine-year-old stallion Dominator 2000 Z, while Belgium’s Pieter Devos and Espoir finished third. The crowd packed into the IFEMA Arena in the Spanish capital city were treated to a fabulous afternoon of sport.