Originally taking place on 14-16 February at the AsiaWorld-Expo, EEM, the founder, owner and organiser of the event, announced that Longines Masters of Hong Kong will not take place. This decision is a precautionary measure following the recent developments in the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak which is currently affecting the city of Hong Kong, Mainland China, and across the APAC region.
“With more than 35,000 people expected from Hong Kong, Asia, and around the world, the safety of our audience, athletes, visitors, exhibitors, service providers, internal teams, as well as that of the horses taking part in the events of the Longines Masters Series, is an absolute priority,” says Christophe Ameeuw, Founder and President of EEM. “Considering the uncertainty surrounding the 2019-nCoV Coronavirus outbreak, and in order to guarantee the welfare of our guests, partners, and stakeholders, it is without hesitation that we decided not to hold the event from 14-16 February 2020. Our loyal partners, which include Longines, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, DBS Bank, Hong Kong International Airport, AsiaWorld-Expo, the Hong Kong Tourism Office, and TVB Pearl, who have already been informed, showed their understanding and support.”
The riders involved of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong will be contacted individually by EEM in the coming days. Members of the public who have already booked tickets will be reimbursed. Ticket holders can contact Cityline’s customer service hotline at (852) 2314 4228 (Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm) or visit www.cityline.com. For other enquiries and further information, please call (852) 5984 9936 (office hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 7pm).
The Longines Masters Series is an intercontinental series of prestigious show jumping competitions, recognised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). For the past five seasons, the Longines Masters Series included the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, the established Asian leg of the series. Elite riders and horses around the world take part in this Series.
Asia Horse Week Also Cancelled
The third edition of Asia Horse Week, scheduled for 13-16 February at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, will not take place. This decision is a result of precautionary measures, in view of the recent developments in the 2019-nCoV Coronavirus outbreak.
“The safety of our delegates, partners, stakeholders, as well as the welfare of the horses from Hong Kong, Asia, and around the world is an absolute priority,” said Raphaël le Masne de Chermont, the Chairman of Asia Horse Week. “With the uncertainty surrounding the 2019-nCoV Coronavirus outbreak, it is without hesitation that we decided not to hold the event from 13-16 February 2020. Our loyal partners, which include the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Longines Masters Series, the International Equestrian Federation, the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, AsiaWorld-Expo, the Hong Kong Tourism Office, and the Wall Street Journal, who have already been informed, showed their understanding and support.”
Delegates who have already booked tickets will be reimbursed. Ticket holders can contact Cityline’s customer service hotline at (852) 2314 4228 (Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm) or visit www.cityline.com. For other enquiries and further information, please call (852) 5984 9936 (office hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 7pm).
The first edition of the Asian Arabian Horse Show, which was to be held as part of Asia Horse Week, is also cancelled.
Launched by EEM in 2018 as an initiative of the Longines Masters Series (Hong Kong, Lausanne, Paris), Asia Horse Week has been designed to bring together key leaders and stakeholders of the global equestrian industry. Its aim is to offer the unique development opportunities in Asia, which offers great potential for the growth of equestrian sports. In 2019, the Asia Horse Week and its conferences had attracted thousands of guests, professionals, experts, riders, owners, and key players in international equine industry.
Daniel Koroloff
daniel@blizko-communication.com