Speed and precision are two words that perfectly describe this challenge. Roger Yves Bost with horse Castle Forbes Cosma have won the Longines Speed Challenge yesterday night at the Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte. Gregory Wathelet (BEL) arrived second and Reed Kessler (USA) third.

Created in 2010 by EEM World, the challenge facing competitors is to achieve the best time, with every bar knocked down adding a 2 second penalty. The winner is, therefore, the pairing that is both the quickest and the most precise. The format of the event ensures complete suspense, with the Longines Speed Challenge also being very attractive to the public, who can follow the time achieved by the competitors, in real time. Since they know the best time as the competitors leave the arena, each spectator can cheer on their favourite up to the end of the round.

Roger Yves Bost on Castle Forbes Cosma during the Longines Speed Challenge

Already Title Sponsor of the Longines Hong Kong Masters (February 28th - March 2nd, 2013), the second round of the Indoor Grand Slam Indoor Masters organized by EEM World after Paris and before New York, Longines decided to strengthen its involvement in equestrian sports.

Alain Henry, Director Longines France, Juan Carlos Capelli, Longines’ Vice President and Head of International Marketing and Fernanda Ameeuw, Ambassador of the Grand Slam with the podium of the Longines Speed Challenge: Gregory Wathelet (BEL), 2nd, Roger Yves Bost (FRA) winner, Reed Kessler (USA), 3rd

Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a jockey and his horse engraved. Since 1881, this watch was to be found on racecourses, having become extremely popular with jockeys and equestrian fans, in general. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes flat racing, jumps and endurance.

Source: Longines