Uniondale, N.Y.—April 28
For the second year in a row, Team Europe edged out the United States at the North American leg of the Riders Masters Cup, held at the Longines Masters of New York in Uniondale, New York.
After 10 duels, the final scoreboard saw Team Europe (Pius Schwizer, Edward Levy, Olivier Philippaerts, Darragh Kenny and Harrie Smolders), led by Chef d’Equipe Philippe Guerdat, earn an accumulated 130 points. The Robert Ridland-led team for the United States (Lillie Keenan, Laura Chapot, McLain Ward, Kristen Vanderveen and Devin Ryan) earned 90.
Team Europe, comprised of (from left) Pius Schwizer, Chef d’Equipe Philippe Guerdat, Edward Levy, Olivier Philippaerts, Darragh Kenny and Harrie Smolders won the 2019 North American leg of the Riders Masters Cup, held at the Longines Masters of New York. Tori Repole Photos
“It’s always an honor to be part of a team,” said the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, who rode the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Cas 2 for Team Europe. “I think it’s a good concept and gives good sport, especially the speed element of our sport. I think it’s good to watch. You see these horses in these classes are not the most famous horses because you usually use them as a speed horse; it’s good that they get more attention.”
Take a look at some of the favorite moments captured from Saturday’s feature event:
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The United States’ Devin Ryan walked the course before putting in two rounds aboard the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Cooper.
Team Europe’s Olivier Philippaerts spotted on course before riding the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Insolente Des Dix Bonniers.
Lillie Keenan and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare Chaccolette were the first pair on course in Round 1.
“I was very excited to ride in my first Riders Masters Cup,” said Keenan. “I was eager to help the team win this time. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite make that comeback, but I think we gave it a good fight.”
“I’m glad there were two rounds,” she added. “In the first round with the wall, [Chaccolette] thought it was a boundary and not a jump. To come back the second round and have a smooth, quick round, I was grateful for that. I wish we won as a team, but we’ll definitely try even harder next time.”
Pius Schwizer and Cortney Cox won the opening duel against Lillie Keenan and Chaccolette.
Harrie Smolders and Cas 2 earned 5 points in the Round 1 duel against the United States’ Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili won their duel against Harrie Smolders and Cas 2 by 5 points.
The United States’ Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue were eliminated in Round 1 after two refusals at the wall.
Darragh Kenny and Sweet Tricia won the third duel against Laura Chapot and Candon Blue.
Olivier Philippaerts and Insolente Des Dix Bonniers lost the fourth duel against McLain Ward and Rapidash.
McLain Ward and Rapidash won Duel 4.
Devin Ryan and Cooper opened the fifth duel against Edward Levy and Rebeca LS.
Edward Levy won the final duel of Round 1 aboard Rebeca LS.
Chef d’Equipes Philippe Guerdat and Robert Ridland had the option of changing the order-of-go and duel combinations for Round 2.
McLain Ward and Rapidash were the first pair in the ring for Round 2. They dueled against Pius Schwizer and Ulane Belmaniere.
Pius Schwizer swapped horses for Round 2. He rode the 11-year-old Selle Francais mare Ulane Belmaniere to win the duel over McLain Ward by 10 points.
Edward Levy swapped in the 13-year-old Selle Francais mare Starlette De La Roque for Round 2.
Devin Ryan returned with Cooper for Duel 2 against Edward Levy.
Lillie Keenan and Chaccolette jumped a clear round to win Duel 3 against Olivier Philippaerts and Insolente Des Dix Bonniers.
Olivier Philippaerts and Insolente Des Dix Bonniers dueled against Lillie Keenan and Chaccolette.
Duel 4 saw Darragh Kenny and Sweet Tricia go head to head with Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue.
Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue cleared the wall in Round 2, though they lost Duel 4 to Darragh Kenny and Sweet Tricia.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili had a rail down in Duel 5.
Harrie Smolders and Cas 2 put in a clean, steady ride to win Duel 5 over Kristin Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili.
