Longines has a rich heritage of being involved with equestrian sports that begins in 1926. Through its role as official timekeeper at prestigious show-jumping events throughout the world, the watchmaking brand has established itself as an essential partner of this sport that combines precision and elegance. Furthermore, at the close of the season, Longines presents the Longines Press Award for Elegance to the two best riders (male and female) according to the following criteria: performance and elegance. A trophy, a cheque and a set of two Longines watches are presented to the prize-winners.
The timing and data management of an equestrian event require six technicians, who set up and test the equipment four days before the first event. In total, they transport between 4.8 and 9.0 tons of equipment depending if a video board is required.
Longines is also active in other equestrian sports, namely flat racing. Since 2007, the watchmaker has been the official timekeeper of Royal Ascot, an event that showcases the most elegant spectators in England. Longines is also proud to continue the partnership that it agreed in 2002 with the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the leading flat-racing event in the southern hemisphere, as the event’s “Official Watch”. Derby Day attracts a crowd of no less than 118,000 spectators, who gather at the gates to enjoy this fashionable event. Derby Day’s ”Fashion of the Field" competition is proudly sponsored by Longines. Moreover, Longines is the official timekeeper for other prestigious race meetings such as the Longines Singapore Gold Cup at the Singapore Turf Club, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and the Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly. Longines is also the official timekeeper of France Galop at the race-courses of Chantilly, Longchamp and Deauville in France.
The Swiss rider Jane Richard makes up the brand’s equestrian family of Ambassadors. For further information concerning Jane Richard:
http://www.longines.com/personalities/ambassadors/jane-richard
Follow the competition on the Longines live timing:
http://www.longinestiming.com/sports/equestrian/index.htm
