A SPECTATOR HOME RUN
By definition in the business world, I would be the quintessential “aspirational” rider and customer. I am very serious about my sport, but I live in the Northwest- not the mecca of the horse sport world. I have a successful company, but I am not a scion of business. I maintain one to two “nicer” show hunters at a time and essentially try to live a relatively balanced life of career, family, travel and horseshows. A feat that has taken many years to master, and is a work in progress.
When Longines was announced as the title supporter of the LA Masters Grand Slam, there was no way I was going to miss the inaugural even. It was a great opportunity to experience show jumping history and visit with a few customers in person.
My travel schedule was such that I only had a few hours on Thursday to attend, but I was willing to appreciate the time I could scrape together at the event.
One other important note, my husband, Tim, would be traveling with me due to a scheduled appointment he had on Friday in LA. This would be the first international show jumping event he would be experiencing. Although a successful businessman, Tim is much more comfortable in flip-flops and touting his long board, Go Pro and massive camera around surf breaks in Fiji.
Image: Tim in his element using a Go Pro. Until the Grand Slam, horse shows were not his idea of excitement!
Travel to LAX was simple and even LA traffic was rapidly moving. With Tim’s smaller camera in tow and closed shoes on his feet, we dropped off our luggage at our downtown hotel. Thursday was a shorter spectator day and we quickly grabbed a cab and rushed down to the convention center to catch the second half of the day of events.
WOW.
From the second we arrived in LA, it was apparent that Southern California was enthusiastic about welcoming international show jumping. We noted video monitors promoting Longines show jumping at LAX in our terminal and I noted the event was advertised in the Wall Street Journal on Friday morning as I was drinking my coffeel. As we arrived at the LA Convention Center, a soaring banner spanned the building. The light ensconced entry displayed prominent red horses showcasing the event’s classic colors. A quick trip up the escalators and you were immediately transported to a show jumper spectator’s paradise complete with artistic statues, beautiful lighting and chic lounges and boutiques.
THE SCHOOLING AREA
My FAVORITE part of the entire show is that the warm-up arena was at the top of the escalators and captured your attention the second you descended upon the event area. The pristine jumps and dust free footing perfectly captured the competitors warming up. There was total transparency in how the grooms, riders, horses and coaches prepared the athletes immediately before the class. I think is very important for the general public to recognize the ethics that the FEI, the USEF and the general international equestrian community works so diligently to promote.
Photos clockwise from left: The schooling area front and center surrounded by boutiques, Jessica Springsteen beautifully attired in Gucci, A rider schooling before their round
THE COMPETITON VENUE
Usually when Tim attends a show, he is full of questions, which can be quite distracting. I try to be polite, but I am usually obsessed with the class at hand so I probably am not very patient with my explanation. Also, to his defense, he usually has to watch show hunters or equitation classes, which are subjectively judged, confusing to follow and I would guess boring to the average observor. The show management at the Masters Grand Slam made sure that all spectators were educated. The announcers walked the audience through the courses before each class and my husband easily understood what was about to take place.
IMAGE: The commentators walking the course. Note the elegant VIP table seating on the far side of the arena.
The commentators also were very thorough during the actual event in keeping the audience abreast of the current placings. Of course, the jumps were beautiful and in true Longines and Gucci branding, impeccably shined to perfection. I would not hesitate bringing a non-horse person to the Grand Slam just for entertainment!
Photos: The presence of many of the top ranked riders in the world were present, coupled with the amenities of the arena, seating layout and commentating made for an excellent spectator event.
SHOPPING
The vendors present exuded the luxury caliber of the event through the quality of their products. The Kingsland showroom seemed to have a magnetic attraction that sucked me into their booth. Since I reside in the cold Northwest, their product offering was very fitting for my lifestyle. Valencia saddlery was stocked full of Ogilvy pads, Kathryn Page sandals, Walsh Halters and Cavalleria Toscana designer pieces- all items I use. Der Dau was showcasing their beautiful custom boots, including the fashion boot style that was just featured in the latest issue of In Style Magazine. Finally, Horse and Style Magazine surprised us all with their pop-up booth. This concept is so fun because you never know what fabulous and unique home décor and clothing pieces they might have with them. It is a dangerous store on the pocket book!
Some other vendors included art galleries, the LA times and Dy’on, Butet and Voltaire Saddlery.
Images clockwise from left: The Horse & Style pop up booth, visiting with my friends at Der Dau custom boots, Butet Saddlery, Olgivy selection at Valencia Saddlery, darling sneakers at Kingston and Dy'on's impressive selection of leather goods.
WEST COAST DELIVERS
The exhibitors may have a different perspective, but I hope not. The LA Masters was elegant, polished and entertaining, even for non-equestrians like my husband. I have heard him mention many times the incredible athletes the horses and riders were and he enjoyed that the format was easy to understand. The promoters of the event created an event that they should be more than proud of due to the exposure of showjumping that they brought to all sport enthusiasts and the exquisite branding and hospitality that ensured a world-class event. They helped put the West Coast on the map as a legitimate international show jumping destination.
Image: My new friend waiting to warm up.
{MY RECOMMENDATION: PLEASE BRING THIS EVENT BACK TO LA NEXT YEAR! IT IS AN EVENT THAT IS ENTERTAINING FOR BOTH SPORT HOSRE AND NON-SPORT HORSE ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE AND IS SO APPRECIATED TO FINALLY HAVE WEST COAST RECOGNITION! }
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