The much anticipated 2016 Longines Masters of Hong Kong is almost here. In less than a month Asia’s most prestigious and exciting show jumping competition will get underway and this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better than ever. After three successful editions, the Longines Masters of Hong Kong staged at Asia World-Expo from February 19-21, is now a popular fixture of the highly regarded Longines Masters series, which is also present in America (Los Angeles) and Europe (Paris).
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The Longines Masters now challenges riders to battle it out for the Masters Grand Slam Super Bonus. If a rider takes out all three consecutive Longines Grand Prix events he or she is eligible to win a 1 Million Euro bonus or a Super Bonus of 500,000 Euros for two consecutive wins or 250,000 Euros for two non- consecutive wins.
Now that the stakes are so high it is no surprise that the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, a competition celebrating sporting excellence and elegance, is attracting more and more of the world’s top riders.
An exciting line-up of the best horse men and women in the world have been confirmed for next month’s ‘M Mark’ event organised by EEM including French heroes Patrice Delaveau, Kevin Staut and Roger Yves-Bost as well as British legend John Whitaker who stole the show last year on his amazing stallion Argento winning the Longines Grand Prix. German champion Ludger Beerbaum will also be returning in 2016 as well as local rider Jacqueline Lai.
The opening night of competition on Friday February 19 will feature the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy followed by the unique and entertaining “Race of the Riders” where Hong Kong’s best jockeys will challenge the world’s best Show Jumpers. This innovative competition will take place again in 2016 with top local jockeys set to pair up with some of the best visiting show jumping riders. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Race of the Riders final starters are: Joao Moreira/Marco Kutscher (Team The Magic), Neil Callan/Bertram Allen (The Irish Horsemen), Vincent Ho/Simon Delestre (The Speed Masters) and Derel Leung/Jacqueline Lai (The Hong Kong Duo).
On day 2 on Saturday February 20, the evening will be dedicated to the spectacular Longines Speed Challenge, known as the fastest Show Jumping competition in the world and the only speed class of its kind in the world.
The longines Speed Challenge is now a classic. It’s “the” definitive speed challenge. It could be called a world championship, crowning the fastest rider competing in the events that span the three continents that host the Longines Masters Series. Faults are penalized less than in other competitions, which in turn pushes the riders to give it their all and creates a never-before- seen atmosphere in this sport.
On the final day, Sunday February 21, the Massimo Dutti Trophy will lead in to the most important event of the three days – the Longines Grand Prix.
The Massimo Dutti Trophy is a Table A against the clock. The rider that completes the course in the fastest time with the least amount of penalties will be declared the winner. In this one round competition, horse and riders give it all they’ve got much to the delight of the public.
Longines Masters of Hong Kong will end on a high note with the Longines Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. The weekend’s star event, part of the Masters Grand Slam Super Bonus, is held on an Olympic-standard 1.60m technical track. The World’s best riders will compete with their best horses.
A major new addition to the 2016 Longines Masters of Hong Kong will be the Shanghai Tang Polo Cup. It will be the first time polo is played in Hong Kong for more than 30 years. The Shanghai Tang Polo Cup promises to be one of the major highlights of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong with many locals already looking forward to see this classic game played out.
As well as top class equestrian action the Longines Masters of Hong Kong will host world class hospitality. On each day the Masters Club headed by 2 Michelin star chef Yves Mattagne will offer a glamorous, unique and stylish dining experience for visitors with incredible views of the competition arena.
The Prestige Village, will also be a hive of activity with the best food, wine, Mixologist classes, luxury shopping and art exhibitions. There will also be a Kids Corner to keep young visitors entertained.
At the close of competition on days 1 and 2 the Prestige Village will stage amazing after parties with a special guest on Saturday night, the world famous DJ from Europe, Cassius, set to take centre stage.
For the first time in Longines Masters history, visitors will also have the privilege of meeting the real stars of the competition – the horses.
This year, four specially erected stables within the Hong Kong Jockey Club Horse Pavilion will offer a rare opportunity for horse enthusiasts and anyone looking for anexclusive photo-taking experience to admire these incredible equine champions up close.
Asia’s biggest and best equestrian event, the 2016 Longines Masters of Hong Kong, gets underway at 4:15pm on Friday, February 19.
> Overall program of the Longines Masters of Paris
> Starting and results‘ lists available at this link
> Video live of the classes through the Masters TV
Source: Press release
