EEM World, creators of the Masters Grand Slam CSI5* series of show jumping competitions, made a major announcement today from its headquarters at Ecuries D’Ecaussinnes in Belgium that Swiss watchmaker Longines is adding to its collection of equestrian show jumping events by taking over title sponsorship of the Masters Grand Slam CSI5* Series.
“We just announced the creation of the Longines Masters, in which Longines will be the title sponsor of the Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles events,” said Anouk Blain Maillot, Communications and Marketing Director of EEM World.
The trio of top, CSI5* rated indoor style show jumping competitions, in Hong Kong, China; Los Angeles, California; and Paris, France can now boast series title sponsorship support for the first time ever. While individual title sponsorship of the Paris Masters was formerly held by fashion house Gucci, and the other two legs were sponsored by Longines, the series had not held a title sponsorship until now.
The 2nd edition of the Longines Los Angeles Masters will be held October 1-4, 2015, followed by the 7th year of the Longines Paris Masters from December 3-6, 2015, and finally the 4th Longines Hong Kong Masters, February 9-21, 2016. The three shows became a trio series with the addition of the Longines Los Angeles Masters in 2014.
“The concept is basically the same,” Maillot explained. “Longines is already the title sponsor in Los Angeles and Hong Kong. They’re now extending the [title] sponsorship to Paris, so that we will now present the Longines Masters Grand Slam.”
With this show of support, Longines has raised the bar yet again in its global sponsorship of equestrian sport and show jumping. Already title sponsor of the Longines FEI World Cup of Show Jumping, and the Longines Global Champions Tour Series, among many others, the watch brand’s extension include the Masters’ boutique trio of five-star horse shows is significant.
Gucci will continue its partnership with the Masters Grand Slam as an official sponsor and title sponsor of the Gucci Gold Cup on the Saturday evenings of the Los Angeles and Paris Masters. The Friday Speed and Sunday Grand Prix will be presented under the Longines name.
Tickets are now available and rider entries are open for the Longines Los Angeles Masters from October 1 – 4th, 2015. For more information, visit this link.