News


13/11/2018

 

Founding Partner HKJC reveals new Asian elements as Longines Masters of Hong Kong returns in February

 

The Longines Masters of Hong Kong, one of the world・s most acclaimed five-star equestrian events and often regarded as the Grand Slam Indoor of Show jumping, will return to the city in mid-February, further boosted by the addition of two new competitions: the HKJC Asian Challenge and the HKJC Asian Junior Challenge.  The 2018 Asian Games dressage gold medallist Jacqueline Siu will also be there to demonstrate her medal-winning movements with Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour for the first time in Hong Kong. With The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) as its Founding Partner, this seventh edition of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong will take place at AsiaWorld-Expo from 15-17 February 2019. In parallel, the second edition of the Asia Horse Week will be held from 14-16 February, bringing together leading equestrian federations, horse clubs and the equine industry worldwide. 

 

The 2019 Hong Kong event will be the middle leg of the Longines Masters 2018/19 series, which starts in Paris at the end of this month and concludes in New York in April.

 

Highlights of the event were revealed today (13 November) at a press conference headed by Founder and CEO of the Longines Masters organiser EEM, Christophe Ameeuw; Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) President Michael T H Lee. They were joined by HKJC Equestrian Team members Jacqueline Siu and Clarissa Lyra, as well as sponsors・ representatives.

 

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said the HKJC had been pleased to support the Longines Masters of Hong Kong since its beginning, and had introduced many new elements.  :All of this is part of the Club・s strategy to develop equestrian sport in Hong Kong,; he explained.  :Moreover the Masters is increasingly contributing to the development of equestrian sport in Asia as a whole.  Last year saw the inaugural Asia Horse Week and this year will see the first HKJC Asian Challenge.  This will be an important opportunity for Asian riders to showcase their skills as part of an international competition. 

 

The value of the Longines Masters and Asia Horse Week to the development of equestrian sport in the region was echoed by EEM・s Mr Ameeuw, who said, :I have always had an obsession with wanting to communicate my passion and to bring our sport into the international spotlight.  We are delighted to return to Hong Kong and propose an exciting programme high in colour and surprises.  We invite all fans and families to discover the magic and excitement of our sport.

 

HKEF President Michael Lee is pleased to see that the Masters earned much popularity in the last few years and the Federation was dedicated to advancing the sport. :It is a great honour to support the event by providing local judges, stewards and volunteers,; he said. :Educational tours for students will also be organised as part of the community engagement programmesMany thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for their generous support which enables the implementation of these community engagement programmes, as well as for working earnestly alongside the Federation to support the development of equestrian sport.;

 

The three-day Longines Masters of Hong Kong will feature six competitions, each offering attractive prize money. In addition, an enticing Super Grand Slam bonus award of a2.25 million will be on offer to any rider who can achieve three consecutive Longines Grand Prix victories in the same season.

 

The best horse and rider combinations from around the world will be competing for the HKJC Trophy on the opening night.  This year, the spectacular 1.50m class will also feature some of the top equestrian riders from Asia to compete alongside top world riders in pursuit of a HK$250,000 prize for the inaugural HKJC Asian Challenge.  A new HKJC Asian Junior Challenge will likewise provide a valuable chance for the region・s up-and-coming young riders to experience top-level competition. 

 

The popular HKJC Races of the Riders on the opening night is unique to the Asia leg of the Masters, connecting show jumping with horse racing. It features Hong Kong-based jockeys teaming up with top international equestrian riders to test their skills over a jumping course.

 

In addition to these various competitions, HKJC Equestrian Team member Jacqueline Siu will reprise her gold medal-winning Asian Games performance on the same Club-sponsored horse Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour, giving Hong Kong fans the first chance to see this graceful routine for themselves.  :Winning Hong Kong・s first-ever gold medal at international level in dressage was like a dream for me,; Siu enthused.  :I・m so grateful to the Jockey Club for all the support they contributed to achieving this success.  It symbolises years of dedication, so I・m really looking forward to reprising the routine in front of a home crowd.;

 

Another HKJC Equestrian Team member Clarissa Lyra, a bronze medallist in jumping at the 2017 National Games, represented the city in the Longines Masters last year and described it as an amazing experience.  :Having the chance to compete against some of the top names in the sport, and doing it in front of a home crowd as well, was simply unforgettable,; she recalled.

 

Meanwhile the second Asia Horse Week, running alongside the Longines Masters of Hong Kong from 14-16 February, will bring renowned speakers to Hong Kong from equestrian-related organisations around the world.  Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the second edition of Asia Horse Week would see professionals from Asia and across the world continue their dialogue on the future of equestrian sport in the region. :The Club will be sharing details of its contributions to horse sports in the Greater Bay Area, in particular our new Conghua Racecourse just outside Guangzhou, which we believe has great potential to support the development of the equine industry in this region,; he said.

 

From its roots as a horse racing and riding club established in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has played a major role in the city・s equestrian sports development over the years. Its public riding schools, which opened in the 1970s, now attract some 80,000 local visitors of all ages each year to learn riding skills and horse care.  Equestrian sports gained in popularity following the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, held in Hong Kong with the Club・s support.  The HKJC Equestrian Team and HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad were established by the Club in the same year with the aim of developing the potential of Hong Kong・s most talented riders.  Several of its members have since won medals in international competitions.  The Club also launched the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan in 2016. This merit-based programme is designed to nurture Hong Kong・s high-performing riders as they strive for equestrian excellence on the world stage. 

 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city・s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit www.hkjc.com.

 

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges describes the first HKJC Asian Challenge as an important opportunity for Asian riders to showcase their skills as part of an international competition.


Photo 2:
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EEM, Christophe Ameeuw says he had an obsession with wanting to communicate his passion and to bring the sport into the international spotlight. 


Photo 3: Hong Kong Equestrian Federation President Michael Lee notes that
educational tours for students will also be organised as part of the event・s community engagement programmes.


Photo 4: HKJC Equestrian Team member Jacqueline Siu, individual dressage gold medallist at the Asian Games 2018, will be reprising her winning routine in the coming Longines Masters
of Hong Kong.


Photo 5: HKJC Equestrian Team member Clarissa Lyra recalls the amazing experience of representing Hong Kong in the Masters last year. 


Photos
6, 7, 8: Group photos

 

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Photos can be downloaded from the website of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (www.hkjc.com/english/corporate/corp_news.asp).

 

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