«Longines Beijing Masters» : Unique concept presented – top riders competing in the “Bird's Nest”

Eleven of the world's top international show-jumpers will be competing against their 20 best Chinese colleagues from May 9 to 11. The “Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters” is entering its fourth round with a unique concept.

The development of the equestrian sport in China is the focus of the concept that the organisers presented in Peking. “It is about giving the Chinese riders the opportunity to learn from the best,” explained Show Director Frank Kemperman in front of around 100 journalists at the “Beijing Pengyuan Horse Club“. During the sporting competitions, but also from the discussions, when walking the course together and naturally from the practical tips given. The competitions will be held in the impressive Olympic Stadium the “Bird`s Nest” in Peking, the highlight is the “Longines Grand Prix” on the final Sunday.

The sport is also to be further developed behind the scenes. For this purpose, the Chinese organisers asked the German show-jumper Ludger Beerbaum for his support four years ago. Beerbaum in turn brought the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH (ART) as the marketer of the annually staged CHIO Aachen into play. Beerbaum and the ART have since been applying their know-how and have been co-organising the “Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters” together with their Chinese partners from “Dashing Equestrian”.

Scott Brash, Ben Maher (both from Great Britain) and Beerbaum, who currently rank under the top three in the Longines world rankings, will all be competing in Peking. The European Champion Roger-Yves Bost and his compatriots Pénélope Leprevost and Kevin Staut will also be saddling their horses in Peking. In addition to Ludger Beerbaum, also Marco Kutscher and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum will be competing for Germany. The Swiss rider Jane Philips Richard, Laura Kraut (USA) and Nick Skelton (GB) will round off the top-class field of international participants.

The interest shown by the media has never been so great. For example, the biggest Chinese TV channel CCTV will be broadcasting the “Longines Grand Prix” live on Sunday, Eurosport will also be broadcasting live in Europe.