Show-jumping horses arrive
The first batch of 45 horses to compete in the 2018 Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour arrived in Shanghai yesterday.
The Shanghai leg of the five-star show-jumping event will be held from Friday to Sunday at the makeshift venue in front of the China Art Museum in the Pudong New Area.
Shanghai Customs set a fast channel for the horses this year. The horses were transported straight to the venue after arriving at Pudong International Airport. The declaration procedure for the animals and fodder was then taken by customs staff at the venue.
The measure was introduced to cut the time needed at the airport so that the animals would not be irritated during the customs procedure and get better rest before the competition.
More than 60 world-class riders will gather in the city, with some challenging the highest 1.6-meter obstacle during the three-day event.
Nearly 100 horses are being flown to Shanghai in three batches from Belgium’s Liege airport.
The Shanghai event is the third stop of this year’s Global Champions Tour after Mexico City and Miami. Temporary roofs will be added to all the stands this year to provide a more comfortable viewing environment for spectators.
The city will be hosting the elite show-jumping event for the fifth year.