The global rivalry is heating up again as the Chef d'Equipes from Team USA and Team Europe officially has submitted their long lists for the Riders Masters Cup in New York, a head-to-head team competition created by EEM and presented with EEF and with the support of Founding Partner Longines. 

Team Europe, triumphant in Paris in December, will look to sweep as the gold medal coach from Rio plans to bring over a roster of top talent to defend the title.

Robert Ridland, the American legend whose underdog team nearly shocked the European squad in front of a packed French crowd, is hoping that on home soil, with some line-up changes and strategic learnings, that his roster of stars will reign victorious in the Riders Masters Cup.

And who better to lead Team USA into battle at the Riders Masters Cup in New York than hometown heroes and Olympic gold medallists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden? 

Ward, who sits at no. 3 on the Longines Ranking list, is most likely to lead the riders into battle with Madden (currently ranked #23) for Team USA as they take on some of Team Europe's best show jumpers in an epic battle for the Riders Masters Cup.

With only five spots on each team, which must include one under-25 rider, joining Ward and Madden as they battle for American glory will be two selections from veteran superstars Laura Kraut and Lauren Hough, or potential young guns Kristen Vanderveen, Andrew Ramsay, Jessica Springteen and Quentin Judge who would bring lots of energy to the team competition. Local standouts, Adrienne Sternlicht and Lucy Deslauriers, join west coast rising star Jennifer Gates competing for the single under-25 spot on Team USA. 

Riders Europe logged a thrilling win in the first Riders Masters Cup leg in Paris and in order to defend that title, Guerdat can choose from a squad that includes world no. 2 Harrie Smolders (NED), world no. 4 Kevin Staut (FRA) and world no. 5 Peder Fredricson (SWE).

Also, on the long list are an on-form Patrice Delaveau (FRA), who topped the Longines Grand Prix in Hong Kong in February, top Belgian rider Gregory Wathelet (currently ranked #17), Philippe Rozier (FRA), and Jérôme Guery (BEL). Guerdat will have to choose from those veterans for four of his five team spots, but he’ll also have to include one under-25 rider. For Riders Europe, Guerdat can pick either Edward Levy (FRA) or Olivier Philippaerts (BEL), both impressive winners despite their young age.

Guerdat will call on all the formidable talent of these riders to help Riders Europe defend the win they earned in Paris during the first edition of the Riders Masters Cup and the action is sure to keep the crowd keen to see what happens next. Speed is key in both rounds of the Riders Masters Cup, so you won’t want to miss the world’s best going head to head in an exhilarating transatlantic race to glory.

The final teams and the official draw for the order-of-go will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018, during the press preview on opening day of the Longines Masters of New York!

Source: Press release from Longines Masters/EEM