The operation is one of the largest horse handling assignments in the company's 38 year history, and this year involved 28 of the world's top jockeys and their horses, competing in a variety of competitions for a prize fund of US$ 1m.
Especially for the event, a team of highly-qualified equine professionals were employed to assist in handling of the valuable creatures both on arrival and in departure. The journey began at Liege Airport in Belgium, where the horses were kept in a secure, sheltered area by Liege Air Cargo Handling Services, a cargo-handling hub owned by CAL Cargo Airlines. They were then loaded onto an Emirates SkyCargo freighter and transported to Hong Kong, before being unloaded unloaded at Hactl's livestock handling centre. This facility is specially located to minimise exposure to ramp noise, which could spook the animals. Subsequently the horses were boarded in air-conditioned horseboxes arranged by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, via a special, gently sloping ramp to prevent leg injury. A week later, the entire exercise was repeated in reverse following the show.
Organiser EEM World commented: "The Longines Hong Kong Masters was once again an unqualified success, and has firmly made its mark as Asia's premier equestrian event. The excellent work of Hactl played a significant role in ensuring the safe arrival, transfer and departure of the star show jumping horses to ensure they compete at top level."
