60 horses will fly from Liege Airport to Hong Kong

From 21 to 23 February, Hong Kong will host for the second consecutive year the Longines Hong Kong Masters equestrian competition. Liege Airport, from which all the European horses are leaving, is a partner of the event.

The second Hong Kong Masters will bring together the elite of international show jumping at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Longines Hong Kong Masters will offer a high quality programme consisting of CSI 5* (international show jumping of the highest level) with top world riders competing.

Despite their stamina and speed, the best horses in the world will not have to jump over hurdles to participate in the competition in China. Like Pegasus, they will fly to cover the 9,330 kilometres between Liege and Hong Kong!

Indeed, over 60 horses will fly from Liege Airport to Hong Kong. "We have made the transport of live animals one of our specialities", says Luc Partoune, General Manager of Liege Airport. "Last year, over 3,000 horses passed through our airport. Two aircraft belonging to TNT Airways and Emirates Sky Cargo will transport the horses under the best possible conditions to Hong Kong airport. The first plane leaves for China this Sunday 16 February, and the second will take off during the night of 16 to 17 February."

The airport and its partners have mounted a complex logistics operation to ensure the success of this undertaking. A secure covered area of horse boxes has been specially erected near the warehouse belonging to Lachs, the company managing the handling. The horses have come from England, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and also Portugal and Sweden. They are received before their departure in optimal conditions. European Horse Services, one of the leading companies in the sector, is coordinating the whole operation. All the necessary equipment is also loaded on board the aircraft (jumps, track edges etc.). Vets, grooms and trainers are accompanying the horses throughout their journey. The horses are due to return on 25 February via Liege Airport once again.

Further details about Longines Hong Kong Masters