Fast and Furious: The Longines Speed Challenge

What do you get when you combine a 1.45m course and the fastest pairs in the world competing for a Grand Prix of 100 thousand euro? The answer is the Longines Speed Challenge, the most thrilling show jumping show in the world. 
True injections of adrenaline for the crowds who follow the competitions, the event has a growing following and is met with greater expectations since the idea of the Longines Masters 2010 in Paris was established. The trial that requires more than simple precision, but also the ability to handle the pressure that comes with great events and even, more importantly, a “Fast and Furious” approach that is the main draw of the exhibition. The Longines Speed Challenge is different from any other type of competition because every obstacle knocked over costs the challengers a 2 second penalty, forcing them to take greater risks to keep up with the competition; increasing the speed and encouraging riskier cuts that can lead to more mistakes. 
The course design will stay the same for the three stages of this season’s Longines Masters: in Paris, New Yok and Hong Kong. The track and number of obstacles will stay the same, with the obstacles placed at a height of 1.45m. The decision was taken so challengers could test themselves and improve on the same track on different continents. The winner of the last stage was French rider Julien Epaillard, riding Cristallo A LM, while Italian rider Lorenzo De Luca claimed a spot on the podium. 
Who will conquer the next speed challenge in New York? 
Press Release www.longinesmasters.com Photo: Longines Masters / EEM