The combination of drinking Champagne from some of the world’s best producers of wine and watching the elegant showmanship of horses and their riders jump together in perfect harmony is an experience no one should miss. I sure didn’t.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Logines Masters at the Long Beach Convention Center to watch some of the best riders in the world compete. The annual Longines Master is an international event that takes place in Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Paris. Earnings for the winner of the three consecutive races total over 1 million euros.
Inside, the riders and their horses were getting revved up themselves. Many were getting prepared in a designated area amidst a shopping circle filled with riding apparel and acticvities called Prestige Village. We immedieately felt the excitement of the show once we entered the stadium (although it was quiet when the jumping ensued), and headed to a lounge upstairs to nosh on antipasto skewers and sip on wine and Champagne while we watched the competitors being announced below.
Horses with manicured manes and their immaculate partners strutted in to the competition area with poise, confidence and focus. Some stallions danced and some even dove, while the crowd clutched their Champagne flutes or camera phones. The experience was intense.
If you get chance to watch these stunning creatures and their riders try and master show jumping in such a beautiful setting, take it. Sometimes you’ll witness the duets fall, but they get up, find composure, hold their heads high and continue on with elegance and grace. We can all take something from that.
