The inaugural Longines Hong Kong Masters from February 28 to March 2 will see 25 of the world’s top-ranked equestrian riders compete for total prize money of USD 1 million.
Riders and horses competing at AsiaWorld-Expo will include the current world number one Christian Ahlmann from Germany, London Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher from the UK, the world’s number one female rider Edwina Tops Alexander from Australia and former European Champion Kevin Staut from France.
Two of Hong Kong’s top riders, Kenneth Cheng and Raena Leung, will represent their home turf.
The competition will take place over three days with a total of six classes on the programme.
The inaugural Longines Hong Kong Masters will be the first round of the Masters Grand Slam Indoor in 2013 to be followed by New York and Paris.
“It is the first 5-star show jumping competition in Asia since the 2008 Olympics and is set to establish Hong Kong as Asia’s equestrian capital," said Matthieu Gheysen, vice president of EEM Asia, organiser of the Longines Hong Kong Masters.
"The Longines Hong Kong Masters is more than just a sports competition, it is Asia’s first sports-meet-social event that combines sporting action, glamorous entertainment and luxury lifestyle brands."
Various events including Riders’ Meet and Greet, an educational programme about show jumping and wine tasting will be organised at the venue.
