Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) has once again handled 60 horses competing in this year’s Longines Masters of Hong Kong. It is the event’s fifth year, and Hactl has handled the valuable equine competitors in every year of the competition.
The transportation of the horses from Liege to Hong Kong, and their return journeys after the event, are being coordinated by European Horse Services (EHS), one of the world’s leading equestrian transport specialists. This year’s chosen carrier is Etihad Airways, and forwarding is being performed by DB Schenker.
The Longines Masters first came to Hong Kong in 2013, and is now recognised as Asia’s largest and most prestigious equestrian event. This year’s Longines Masters of Hong Kong is the culmination of an intercontinental series which began in Los Angeles in September, moving to Paris in December; it is once again taking place at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo complex.
EHS founder and president Filip Vande Cappelle is also vice chairman of the Animal Transportation Association, which held its annual conference in Hong Kong to coincide with the Masters. Says Filip, “The Longines Masters has become one of the most important events in the global equestrian calendar, attracting the highest-calibre entrants from around the world.”
“It’s an honour for EHS to have been selected once again as the official transportation partner by EEM, the event organisers. We are also very happy to be working with Hactl again; their facilities, and the attention to detail which their staff bring to the all-important handling process, are second to none.”
Hong Kong’s top-ranked rider, Jacqueline Lai, accompanied her horses BASTA and DER SENAAT 111, on the inbound flight to Hong Kong. On arrival, she was greeted by Hactl chief executive Mark Whitehead. Jacqueline is a member of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team, and won Hong Kong’s first-ever equestrian medal, in 2010. She is the only Hong Kong resident taking part in this year’s contest.
Says Mark Whitehead: “It’s great to be involved in this wonderful event again, and it was particularly good to have the opportunity of meeting Hong Kong’s very own competitor. Both Jacqueline and Hactl are enthusiastic supporters of the Longines Masters, which has really put Hong Kong on the equestrian map.”