IHSA METROPOLITAN EQUITATION INVITATIONAL TO BE HELD AT LONGINES MASTERS NEW YORK

Fairfield, Conn. ­­– April 4, 2019 – Athletes from the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) will showcase their equitation on an international stage at Longines Masters New York. The inaugural IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational will be held April 26 at NYCB Live, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, New York, at 3 p.m.

The IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational features talented collegiate equestrians who compete in the Cacchione Cup and Open divisions of the IHSA. The participants draw to compete aboard horses, sight-unseen, on the flat and over a course of fences and will be judged on the riders’ effectiveness, style and form. First, the riders compete over fences and the top 12 return to be judged on the flat.
 
“This is an incredible opportunity for our IHSA riders to compete at an event surrounded by the best in the world,” said Bob Cacchione, founder and executive director of the IHSA. “We are so proud of them and grateful to the Longines Masters and the EEM team for their support and providing this chance to share our catch-ride format.”

Michael Andrade from Centenary University at the Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search West Finals. Photo by Captured Moment Photography

IHSA athletes participating:

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Lizzy Traband from Penn State University competing at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo by Shawn McMillan

Established in Paris, Hong Kong, New York, and recently added, Lausanne - the Longines Masters series was inspired by the legendary tennis Grand Slam. It is considered is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. The American leg of the Longines Masters Series will feature international show jumping competition and unparalleled sport with the world's top-ranked equestrian athletes, as well as luxury shopping, dining and entertainment. Each Longines Masters event is broadcast in close to 100 countries and reaches up to 260 million households.
 
Longines Masters New York has provided two of the most respected authorities on hunter seat equitation to judge the first-ever event. George H. Morris is widely regarded as the founding father of hunter seat equitation. At 14, he won both the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Finals and the AHSA Hunt Seat Equitation Medal Finals, the youngest rider ever to achieve the two titles. He is an Olympic silver-medalist and as the U.S. chef d’éeuipe, he led the team to Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008.
 
"I’m looking forward to judging the first Metropolitan Equestrian Invitational," said Morris. "I was the judge at the first IHSA horse show at West Point and support the American system of Equitation. I’ll be judging on the basics of riding: heels down, eyes up, shoulders back, ride forward.”
 
Brianne Goutal-Marteau will join Morris in the judges’ booth. Goutal-Marteau was the first U.S. junior rider to win all four major equitation finals, including US Equestrian Federation (USEF) Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, the Washington International Equitation Classic Finals, the USEF Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay National Championships. She was awarded the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider honor and has won countless grand prix competitions. Goutal-Marteau is a graduate of Brown University, where she competed in the IHSA.
 
“It’s a totally different kind of experience than anyone, regardless of (level), would have—to go to a show and sit on a horse that you’ve never sat on before. (The horses) come with very specific instructions; you can use a stick on this one, you can use spurs on that one, and if you do, use this size. I think that really sets you up to deal with a plethora of different types of horses," said Goutal-Marteau, who is a New York native and resides in Manhattan. “I think, as a New Yorker, we’re always wondering why aren’t there more shows close by home. I think that comes down to the atmosphere, the level of competition, the level of entertainment that the New York Masters provides. Everything is just at the top, top level, and to have it right in your own backyard, I just think it makes everyone so excited."

Come for the IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational ...
... Stay for the Longines Speed Challenge!

Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Erynn Ballard and Kristen Vanderveen earned the top three spots in the Longines Speed Challenge in 2018. Photo by SportFot

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ABOUT THE IHSA
The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) welcomes men and women of all riding levels and offers individual and team competition in hunter seat equitation, Western horsemanship and reining at more than 400 member colleges and universities. Membership in IHSA means that college students can participate at horse shows regardless of their experience or financial status. Students compete at eight levels from beginner through advanced with suitable, provided horses, eliminating the expense of horse ownership.

Founded in 1967 by Bob Cacchione, it is the oldest and largest intercollegiate equestrian organization with 10,000 members in 47 states and Canada. IHSA college and university team participation is represented through a variety of programs including varsity athletics, academic departments and club sports. IHSA offers valuable hands-on experience and professional development in multiple facets of the equine industry. Many IHSA teams participate in service projects, giving back to their communities. Through the IHSA, students enhance their college experience and develop the tools that help build successful careers.

For more information go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.
 
ABOUT EEM
A passionate of equestrian sports, Christophe Ameeuw - CEO of EEM and Founder of the Longines Masters Paris-Hong Kong-New York Series - founded the Ecuries d’Ecaussinnes in 1997. Based in Belgium, the stables are internationally reputed for their activities in trading sport horses and high-standard breeding. They are also home to an offering some of the best teaching available in the field. In opening EEM, Christophe Ameeuw and his teams were in pursuit of a challenge: to reinvent show jumping by organizing equestrian events of an entirely new kind. The company built its development by creating the concept of the “Masters”, which together, under the same roof, the best of show-jumping, resplendent displays and art de vivre. After the successes of the Audi Masters in Brussels and the Gucci Masters in Paris, EEM came out with one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, the Longines Masters Series, on three continents, in Paris, Hong Kong and New York. Inspired by the Grand Slam in Tennis, EEM created a concurrent “Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping”, approved by the FEI, this intercontinental challenge is offered to the world's elite in show jumping, with two prize levels: The Super Grand Slam - a €2,250,000 super bonus for the three consecutive wins in the Longines Grand Prix, in the season order - The Grand Slam - a €1,000,000 bonus for three successive victories at Longines Grand Prix straddling two Longines Masters seasons.

In 2017, EEM created a new iconic competition, the Riders Masters Cup. Offered to the public alongside the EEF (European Equestrian Federation) and alternating between Europe and the United States, this battle pits the world's two leading powers in show jumping against one another: Europe and the United States. On the Asian continent, “Asia Horse Week,” rallying point for the international equestrian community there, also serves as a prime setting for the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, illustrating EEM's determination to develop the sport's international arms in the Asia-Pacific Region. Firmly set on putting equestrian sports front and center and making them accessible to all, EEM rolled out a new digital TV channel on November 14, 2017. EEM.tv offers viewers the chance to follow live and free of charge all EEM events worldwide.

ABOUT THE LONGINES MASTERS
Set in the three of the world's most emblematic metropolises - Paris, Hong Kong and New York - the Longines Masters series is recognized as one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian world. Created by EEM and inspired by the Tennis Grand Slam, the series quickly expanded their international reach (Hong Kong in 2013, Los Angeles in 2014). In 2015, the intercontinental trilogy turned into the Longines Masters Series. Alongside it, EEM created the “Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping”, approved by the FEI, the Grand Slam Indoor is the ultimate challenge for the world's elite in show jumping, with two levels of prizes:The Super Grand Slam: a bonus of 2.25 million Euros for winning three consecutive Longines Grand Prix in the same season. The Grand Slam: a bonus of 1 million Euros for three successive victories in the Longines Grand Prix from one season to the next. The TV broadcast of the Longines Masters Series reaches over 120 countries, almost 320 million households, a coverage increased this year by the launch of EEM.tv, the new digital channel of EEM. It allows everybody to freely livestream all the competition and events during the four days. For more information, see www.longinesmasters.com.

ABOUT LONGINES
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.
Information: Longines International Public Relations - 2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
Site : www.longines.com - Email: publicrelations@longines.com