Longines has a rich, 80 year heritage of being involved with equestrian sports. 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 to eight technicians, who set up and test the equipment three days before the first event. In total, they install about 3.5 tons of equipment and 2 kilometres of cable!
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.
The Swiss riders Markus Fuchs and Jane Richard make up the brand’s equestrian family of Ambassadors.
Royal Ascot Week is undoubtedly the UK’s most popular race meeting and, as ever, attracted an elegant crowd in show-stopping hats. The timing of the races was entrusted to Longines throughout the week, as thousands of race-goers watched from the magnificent racecourse and across the country thanks to the extensive BBC and “At the Races” TV coverage. Longines clocks were also placed around the racecourse, and will remain there throughout the season.
The Royal Ascot meeting is seen as one of the biggest dates on the fashion calendar. Second to the racing, fashion has always played an integral part in the history of the event. Royal Ascot took the logical step last year to introduce a fashion show into the event’s proceedings and this year, with the support of some of the biggest names in fashion such as Phillip Tracey, Vivienne Westwood, Mathew Williamson, Amanda Wakeley and Gieves and Hawkes, the show was an even bigger spectacle off the racecourse.
The fashion show was held in the Bessborough restaurant and combined luxury, elegance, fine dining and the very best of British fashion. Longines were proud to be a co-sponsor and carried out a magnificent visual presentation of the very latest men’s and women’s watches during the intervals.
In 2008, Longines proudly continued its long-standing association with the iconic Melbourne Cup Carnival, the leading horse racing event in the Southern Hemisphere. For the seventh consecutive year, Longines is the “Official Watch” of the Carnival.
In a spectacular start to the event, a huge crowd of 118,000 Derby Day race-goers witnessed the running of the "Longines Wakeful Stakes", which was televised across Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world. Once again, Longines also sponsored the "Fashions of the Field" competition, which occurs in the run-up to and throughout the Carnival.
The Longines marquee at the Melbourne Cup Carnival is prominently located in the renowned "Birdcage" enclosure and has established itself as one of the most sought-after destinations. This year it has once again attracted an elite group of local celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment. Celebrity friends of Longines include Carson Kressley, Megan Gale, Craig Wing, Livinia Nixon, Lindy Klim, Shelley Craft, Terry Biviano and Georgia Sinclair.
Themed in an elegant yet contemporary style, this year's Longines marquee was designed around the Admiral Collection. Many guests commented on the striking and intricately detailed image of the Admiral 24 hour watch, which was placed on the ceiling of the marquee.
Admiral was the “Official Watch” of the 2008 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Live Timing (overview of results available online):
http://www.longinestiming.com/sports/equestrian/index.htm
