Katherine Strauss Goes All In to Win Masters Two PonyApp 1.40m
A starting field of 25 competitors faced the Masters Two PonyApp 1.40m class with Katherine Strauss (USA) coming out on top riding her partner of five years, All In, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa had set the early pace with the time of 53.97 seconds riding Farrero but the 2004 Olympic Champion’s time would be overtaken by two young American women. Only 20 years of age, Strauss used her youth to her advantage, completing the challenging track in a time of 53.05 seconds to move to the top of the leaderboard. Lindsay Douglass (USA), the 26-year-old co-founder of class sponsor PonyApp, came close to catching the leading time but fell short in 53.44 seconds to settle for second riding Butterfly Tibri Z.
Katherine Strauss and All In. Photo by Sportfot for EEM.
“I’m so excited to be here, it’s really fun to have a show at home and support the New York community,” said Strauss, a native of Manhattan who is making her Longines Masters New York debut. “It’s so well done. Everything is more than you could ever dream of. I’m biased, but I think this is the best city in the world, and to have a horse show here adds a lot to the city and adds a lot to the sport.”
Israeli Flag Flies Following Ariel Bluman’s Victory
Riding for Israel, 25-year-old Ariel Bluman proved to be the fastest rider to tackle the Masters Two Longines Masters of Lausanne 1.30m competition. Riding Euphoria, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by R.J. Equestrian Group, Bluman sped to victory in a time of 20.16 seconds to claim victory. Samantha Wight of the United States, who trains alongside Bluman, gave it her best shot but fell just short of the leading time, stopping the clock in 20.44 seconds riding Imagine van de Hermitage. Having enjoyed a win in the opening class of the Longines Masters New York, Sima Morgello (USA) settled for third in the 1.30m competition having crossed the timers in 20.84 seconds riding Azur van Overis Z.
Ariel Bluman and Euphoria. Photo by Sportfot for EEM.
“For us, New York is home for half of the year so it is really awesome that we can all come as a team,” said Bluman whose husband and trainer, Daniel, is contesting the five-star division of the Longines Masters New York. “The whole family is here and clients are here. It’s really cool to be all together at a really nice show.”
Sima Morgello Opens Longines Masters New York With a Win
New York’s own Sima Morgello had the distinction of winning the first event, the Masters Two EEM.TV 1.15m riding her partner of eight years, Zopala. Morgello and her small but mighty mare completed the speed track set by German course designer Frank Rothenberger in a time of 44.52 seconds to take the win over fellow American Ariana Tucker and Scarlet who stopped the clock in 45.07 seconds.
Sima Morgella and Zopala. Photo by Sportfot for EEM.
“I love that this is a hometown show for me,” said Morgello, 23, a local competitor who grew up in the Bronx and also competed in last year’s edition of the Longines Masters New York. “I was really excited to come back this year. It’s always very well organized and beautiful horse show to be at.”
Completing the all-American podium, Natalie Dean rounded out the top three with a time of 45.98 aboard Maestro Vica v.d. Ark.