Nine Shetland ponies, along with 51 top showjumping horses and seven dogs, traveled on a special charter flight from Belgium to Hong Kong for the second Longines International Horse Show. The 12-hour journey on a Cathay Cargo Boeing 747 freighter departed from Liege, carrying equine participants for the event running from January 30 to February 1. Riders including British showjumper John Whitaker are set to compete at the Asia-World Expo.
The flight highlighted the logistical efforts behind international equestrian competitions. Organized by the team behind the London International Horse Show, the event features five-star showjumping and the Shetland Pony Grand National. Among the passengers was the oldest equine, 20-year-old Shetland pony Cranford Fantastic, described by a Cathay Cargo spokesperson as having “calm confidence makes him perfectly suited to long-haul journeys.”
John Whitaker’s 17-year-old showjumping horse, Equine America Unick Du Francport—a team world bronze medal winner—represented the senior competitors, while eight-year-old Shetland Okehurst Florence was the youngest on board.
Cathay Cargo’s director Dominic Perret emphasized the responsibility involved: “Transporting these world-class equine athletes is both a privilege and a huge responsibility. We understand the pressure riders and owners face ahead of elite competition, which is why our role is to eliminate travel as a source of stress. Our expertise in live animal logistics has seen a year-on-year tonnage growth in this segment, and supporting this world-class event reinforces our position as the trusted partner for high-stakes animal transport.”
The Boeing 747 freighter included stalls for one to three horses, with animals stabled overnight before departure. They received priority boarding to minimize transit time, accompanied by specialist attendants during the flight. Provisions included ad-lib hay, optional light meals at 30,000 feet, constant water access, and electrolytes if needed, with cabin temperatures maintained at 12-14°C and conditions monitored continuously.
Post-arrival protocols focused on recovery: “After touchdown, the priority is simple: rest, rehydrate, and stretch,” the spokesperson noted. Low-stress handling and gradual training ensure the horses arrive in peak condition.
Competing riders include Britons John Whitaker and Sameh El Dahan, France’s Simon Delestre and Roger Yves Bost, Norway’s Geir Gulliksen, and Germany’s Richard Vogel. Notable Shetlands feature Damerham Briar Lily, who trains by swimming in the sea; Beeftub Felix, who joins family breakfasts; and Slades Dewberry, a regular Father Christmas sleigh puller.
