Female Riders Claim the Podium in the Race Against the Clock, the Longines Speed Challenge

Day two of the Longines Masters of New York featured a full day of action-packed competition, culminating with the Longines Speed Challenge, regarded as the fastest show jumping class in the world. Leading into the Friday night competition, Longines Ambassador of Elegance and Co-founder of The Golden Hat Foundation Kate Winslet met local New York children with Autism and accepted a check on behalf of The Golden Hat Foundation, the Longines Masters of New York official nonprofit partner. The Longines Masters of New York also honored Long Island military this evening with a procession by the Marine Corps color guard and mounted police, and EEM received an official citation issued by Nassau County officials, welcoming the Longines Masters Series to New York.

Ahead of the Longines Speed Challenge, the Longines Masters Series showcased their global dedication to those living with Autism in partnership with The Golden Hat Foundation. EEM hosted members of local equine therapy partners to enjoy an evening at the Longines Masters of New York with Longines Ambassador of Elegance and Co-founder of The Golden Hat Foundation Kate Winslet.

"The Golden Hat Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived, by shining a light on their abilities and emphasizing their potential. With proper education and career training, these individuals can truly realize their dreams. Tonight is a shining example of how organizations, like Longines and the Longines Masters of New York, can make an impact to further Autism Awareness in their community", said Kate Winslet.

This evening was also Military Appreciation Night, during which EEM CEO and Founder of the Longines Masters Series Christophe Ameeuw and the Longines Masters of New York recognized some of the bravest men and women of New York. The recognition included a procession by the Nassau County Police Department Pipe and Drum, Nassau County Police Department Color Guard and Marine Corps Color Guard, and the Nassau County Mounted Police. The ceremony closed with a moment of silence for fallen soldiers and the playing of the National Anthem.

One of the most-anticipated competitions at each leg of the Longines Masters Series in Paris, Hong Kong and New York, the Longines Speed Challenge places an emphasis on precision and agility, encouraging riders to jump the course at record speeds with each knocked-down rail--known as a fault--resulting in a 2-second penalty instead of the standard 4 seconds. With the lightened penalization for each fault, horse and rider place their entire attention on getting through the course as fast as possible, resulting in a riveting competition.

The 2018 Longines Speed Challenge was dominated by an all-female podium, with Erynn Ballard coming in first place with a finishing time of 60.62 seconds. Brianne Goutal, the only rider in the class without any faults, followed in a close second, and Kristen Vanderveen rounded out the podium.

Earlier in the day, Gregory Wathelet of Belgium took home the trophy of the Masters One Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.5m class, finishing the course in 31.74 seconds while Jonathan Corrigan and Mavis Spencer, daughter of actress Alfre Woodward, took first place in the Masters Two Ecuries d'Ecaussinnes and Masters Two Eastern Hay classes, respectively.

Catch the American leg of the Longines Masters Series on CBS Sports Network when the Riders Masters Cup and Longines Grand Prix of New York air Sunday, April 29th beginning at 4:00 PM. Follow all the sporting action on EEM.tv throughout the weekend where you can catch all the lead up classes and highlights of the hottest moments from New York!

To purchase tickets for the Longines Masters of New York this weekend, taking place through Sunday, April 29th, visit https://longinesmasters.com/en/new-york/ticketing/.

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 3 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 reachers, to 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 the all competition and events during the four days. Save the date: Paris 2018 November 30th - December 2nd Hong Kong 2019 : February 15th - February 19th New-York 2019: April 24th - April 28th

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.