CSIO Dublin (Dublin, Ireland)

CSIO Dublin (Dublin, Ireland)

August 5 - 9, 2009

The winners of the Longines Press Award for Elegance

Saint-Imier / Dublin, August 9th, 2009 - Longines is proud to unveil the winners of the Longines Press Award for Elegance 2009. At the Dublin Horse Show, the 7th and final stage of the Longines Press Award for Elegance, the American female rider Laura Kraut and the Swiss male rider Pius Schwizer have been awarded the prestigious prize. Longines would like to congratulate them on this achievement, not only reflecting their distinctive elegance, but also their exceptional sporting performance throughout the 2009 Nations Cup season. Longines was also very honoured to award the Longines Grand Prix to Toni Hassmann (Germany). The award for the Longines Best International Athlete went to Robert Yves Bost while Captain Shane Carey was Best Irish Athlete.

Among the ten best performing riders throughout the six previous CSIO events (La Baule, Rome, St. Gallen, Rotterdam, Falsterbo and Hickstead), the American Laura Kraut and the Swiss Pius Schwizer convinced the international jury of equestrian journalists most with their incomparable elegance at the Dublin Horse Show.

“The American Laura Kraut has a beautiful forward riding style and she’s in perfect unison with her horse”, said Louise Parkes from The Irish Times.

Irish Times’ Grania Willis pointed out that “the key to Pius’ great performance is the excellent communication between the Swiss rider and his mount”.

Kraut and Schwizer have been awarded yesterday the Longines Press Award for Elegance receiving a trophy, a set of Longines watches and a cheque for 20'000 Swiss francs.

At this year's Dublin Horse Show, Longines is proud to serve for the fourth time in a row as official partner, timekeeper and title sponsor of the Longines Grand Prix.

The talented Toni Hassmann from Germany won the last Longines Grand Prix of the season, followed by the two Swiss Pius Schwizer and Beat Mändli.
Robert Yves Bost and Captain Shane Carey were respectively awarded the Longines Best International and Irish Athletes.

Justin Thompson, Brand Manager of Longines Ireland, handing over a set of Longines watches to the German rider Toni Hassmann, the winner of the Longines Grand Prix. Toni Hassmann from Germany, winner of the Longines Grand Prix jumping over the Longines fence on Lolita H. Pius Schwizer and Laura Kraut, winners of the 2009 Longines Press Award for Elegance at the Dublin Horse Show. Pius Schwizer and Laura Kraut, winners of the 2009 Longines Press Award for Elegance, during the price giving ceremony. The jury with the winners of the Longines Press Award for Elegance: Jennifer Decamp (France), Ruth Loney (UK), Louise Parkes (Ireland), Grania Willis (Ireland) and Jan Heine (Australia) with the winners Laura Kraut (USA) and Pius Schwizer (CH). Pius Schwizer from Switzerland, winner of the 2009 Longines Press Award for Elegance, riding Carlina IV. Laura Kraut from the USA, winner of the 2009 Longines Press Award for Elegance, jumping over the Longines fence on Cedric. Roger Yves Bost from France, the Longines Best International Athlete in action. Captain Shane Carey, the Longines Best Irish Athlete sporting his new Longines watch from the Longines Sport Collection. Laura Tutty, the winner of a Conquest watch from the Longines Sport Collection for the “Most Colourful Outfit” during the Ladies’ Day at the Dublin Horse Show.