Magic Wathelet at Longines Masters of Paris

Riding Eldorado van het Vijverhof, the Belgian left behind the Irish Bertram Allen and the German Daniel Deusser, candidate for the Grand Slam bonus after his win in Los Angeles

Paris, December 2016 – Milestones and magic at the Longines Masters of Paris: a memorable edition for four days, spectators were immersed in the excitement of the Longines Masters of Paris. It was the not-to-miss sporting and glamorous event of the season: equestrian competition, shows, live concerts, artists exhibitions, gourmet meals and numerous French and international celebrities. Rich in emotion, the Longines Masters of Paris concluded in glory with the crowning event, the second step in the Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping, the Longines Grand Prix.

The Longines Masters of Paris “Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping”, the European stage of the Longines Masters series, closed its doors this evening after four days of wonder, great sport and lifestyle with the best riders in the world as well as amateurs (171 riders from 25 countries). The best of sport and emotion ruled this last day of the Longines Masters of Paris featuring the three Grand Prix events: the SFAM Société Française d’Assurance Grand Prix won by the young Yasmina Bocti, the Land Rover Grand Prix won by Frenchman Guillaume Foutrier and finally the flagship event of the four days, the Longines Grand Prix, the reigning event of the “Grand Slam Indoor”.

The challenge of this olympic level event is to win consecutively the Longines Grand Prix of Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong in the same season, an intercontinental feat that allows riders to win a record bonus of 2.25 million euros. The German Daniel Deusser, candidate for this bonus after his brilliant victory in Los Angeles, did not repeat this feat even though it was within his reach. In the jump off the German was soon surpassed, earning third behind Grégory Wathelet in first place and Bertram Allen in second.

The Belgian winner was obviously happy with his performance: “We all dream of such a victory without faults. I like going fast and my horse was fantastic. Moreover, here in Paris, the public is exceptional and is behind everyone: this makes us want to win even more!”

Now this prestigious series starts its next journey to Hong Kong February 10 to 12, 2017 for the Asian edition in season two of the Longines Masters.

Click here for Grand Prix full results

5 December 2016