Two months to go before the Longines Masters of Hong Kong
Press release | Showjumping – “We are delighted to return to Hong Kong to offer three fantastic days of show and entertainment and look forward to welcoming visitors from all over Asia” declared Christophe Ammeeuw, EEM CEO, founder, owner and organizer of the Longines Masters during the very successful press announcement on 13th December launching the Longines Masters of Hong Kong.
In the presence of Karen Au Yeung, Vice President of Longines Hong Kong, representing Title Partner and Official Timekeeper Longines, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, The Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO and Founding Partner, and Howard Green, Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, the program of this fifth edition of Longines Masters of Hong Kong was unveiled. Jacqueline Lai, Hong Kong’s first national champion rider and member of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team and Joao Moreira, reigning champion of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Race of the Riders, were also present to open this 3rd and final leg of Longines Masters Series.
The best riders in the world will be competing again this year in Hong Kong from February 10th to 12th, 2017. To name a few: Bertram Allen (2016 Longines speed Challenge winner), Olympic medallists Christian Ahlmann, Daniel Deusser, Ludger Beerbaum, Pénélope Leprévost, Roger-Yves Bost as well as Kevin Staut and Lorenzo de Luca. Local interest will inevitably focus on Jacqueline Lai who is once again representing the city at the Longines Masters of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, exclusive Founding Partner, will open the competition on Friday by hosting the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy and the ever so popular “Race of the Riders”, which sees top jockeys pairing up with four top show jumpers in an entertaining team relay over the show jumping course.
This year, the Grand Slam is sure to create a buzz all weekend long. The new hopeful contestant is Grégory Wathelet, winner of the Longines Grand Prix of Paris. If he succeeds in winning in Hong Kong in February and in Los Angeles in September 2017, he will win the Grand Slam Bonus of 1 million euros for 3 consecutive victories over two seasons. Longines, the iconic Swiss watchmaker is also the partner of the Longines Speed Challenge, the only competition of its kind in the world with an identical course over all three legs, from Los Angeles and Paris to Hong Kong.
Beside the show jumping arena, the Prestige Village is an “event within the event” and a standalone entertainment hub for a multitude of luxury labels, such as Longines Boutique, latest designer, premium food & beverage offering and live DJ entertainment at after parties. Spanish horseman Santi Serra is also returning to Hong Kong with meticulously choreographed performances displaying the natural beauty and innate grace of horses.
The Longines Masters of Hong Kong is also the winner of the Gold Award for “Best Live Experience at a Professional Sporting Event” at the SPIA (Sports Industry Awards Asia) 2016 and has beenmrecognise as an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital.
Source: Press release
