S pringtime in New York with Elite Equestrian
By LA Sokolowski
34 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
Khan, a professional fashion photographer,
told Elite Equestrian how he was accustomed
to paying (human) models, so working
with World Animal Protection helped him
“pay back” to the animals inspiring him.
Freedom portrays the raw energy of the
wild herds of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer,
France.
“In light of Earth Day, the focus of the evening was to bring
attention to the effects of climate change upon animals
around the world, including the beautiful horses in Ejaz’s
work,” said Heather Hunter, marketing and communications
director for World Animal Protection US (worldanimalprotection.
us), the only animal welfare organization with a
full-time staff dedicated to disaster response and over the
past 55 years has saved seven million animals from disasters
worldwide.
On Sunday, April 28, the Longines Masters New York put the
‘elite’ in equestrian with an international CSI5* and lavish
feast for the senses that included ostrich feather-festooned
stilt-walkers, Lamborghini models swathed in roses, a live
jazz band, AKC Agility Dogs, phone charging stations (a
modern must!) and plenty of bubbly conviviality.
“Establishing in America one of the world’s great indoor
events has been my all-time ambition. I chose the newly
renovated NYCB Nassau Coliseum, home of the NY Islanders,
Long Island Nets, and New York Open tennis tournament,
because it carries the ambition and vision I have for
the Masters to reach a new audience,” said Christophe
Ameeuw, founder and CEO of EEM, presenters of the
Longines Masters, adding that sports and entertainment
often intertwine as “the ultimate show.”
Such intertwining proved historic in New York, where
Ameeuw said, “A star is born,” after Egyptian rider Nayel
EQUINE Lifestyle
Nassar and Evergate Stable LLC’s
13 year-old Westfalen (Lord Dezi/
Grandeur) gelding became the first
horse and rider in history to win both
its Longines Speed Challenge and
$400,000 Longines Grand Prix of
New York.
“I’m at a loss to describe the incredible animal that is
Lucifer V. I owe it all to him and the magnificent squad
that is Evergate Stables,” said Nassar, whose final time in
the jump-off was a clean 38.39 seconds. Reserve, in 39.46,
went to Harrie Smolders on Evergate’s Selle Francais mare,
Une de l’Othain. “This was my first FEI 5* Grand Prix victory
and couldn’t have been more special. I was last to go in
the second round and my nerves could feel it! And I got to
share the podium with Harrie, one of my idols and teammates.
This one is going to take awhile to sink in. Thank you
Longines New York, and to my person, Jennifer Gates, who
inspires me to be great!”
Next on the Longines Masters tour is its inaugural leg in Lausanne,
France, June 20-23. Results and replays at longinesmasters.
com.
IIt took less than a New York minute
for Elite Equestrian’s original equinista, L.A. Sokolowski, and fashion
stylist Charles Joseph Berry to say yes to invitations for two exceptional
events in Manhattan in April: An exclusive West 36th Street opening reception
on Earth Day for Ejaz Khan Earth’s Freedom exhibit of equine fine
photography in partnership with World Animal Protection, and the second
annual Longines Masters of New York CSI5* at the NYCB Nassau Coliseum.
WAP Directors
By Ejaz Khan
LA with Charles
Lamborghini models
Harrie Smolders, Nayel Nasser
and Oliver Philippaerts
By Jessica Rodrigues
Nayel Nasser and Lucifer V
By Jessica Rodrigues
Ejaz Khan with Friendship
Charles Joseph Berry
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