Longines has become the FEI’s first Top Partner following the agreement of a historic very long-term sponsorship deal that will see the Swiss watchmaker become the Official Timekeeping Partner of the FEI.

Under the new agreement – which marks the biggest sponsorship deal ever brokered by the FEI – Longines becomes the Official Top Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the FEI. Longines will take on a number of key FEI properties including the title sponsorship of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping before the start of the new season in October 2013.

An official signing ceremony will take place in Lausanne (SUI) on 15 January 2013, when the contract will be signed jointly by FEI President HRH Princess Haya, and Mrs Nayla Hayek, Chair of the Swatch Group Board of Directors. Full details of the agreement will be unveiled as part of the signing ceremony in January 2013.

“I am totally thrilled to welcome Longines as the FEI’s first Top Partner. This is the beginning of a new era for our sport and the FEI,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said. “Longines has always had a huge presence in our community and our new partnership is a true celebration of our shared passion. This is an immense moment for the FEI. This long-term partnership with Longines will completely revolutionise the way we are able to produce our sport across all of our disciplines. I am enormously grateful to Mrs Nayla Hayek and her Board for recognising the incredible potential and possibilities of the ever-growing equestrian sport.”

Nayla Hayek, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Swatch Group, commented: “We are delighted to have concluded this strategic and historic partnership with the FEI. It reinforces the traditional and long-lasting commitment of Longines in equestrian sports and makes the brand a major player in this field. We are looking forward to being involved in the great events organised by the FEI. This multi-faceted partnership also provides us with a great platform to strengthen the Longines brand presence worldwide. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to HRH Princess Haya and the Board of the FEI for giving Longines their trust.”

About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832 and is celebrating 180 years of non-stop craftsmanship in 2012. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations.

Longines has established a network of links with the world of sport timekeeping which has enabled it to offer its skilled services to various prestigious sports during the 20th century. Today, it follows its vocation in the field of sports timing, namely in gymnastics, archery, alpine skiing, equestrian sports and at the French Open at Roland-Garros.

Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a horse and jockey engraved on the watch face. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and flat racing.

Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

About FEI:
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines: Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. The FEI is based on the principle of equality and mutual respect between all 133 affiliated National Federations, without prejudice to race, religion or internal politics.

The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in Dressage & Para-Equestrian Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Driving & Para-Equestrian Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. The FEI establishes the regulations and approves equestrian programmes at Championships, Continental and Regional Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Federation promotes equestrianism in all its forms and encourages the development of the FEI equestrian disciplines throughout the world, keeping the welfare of the horse at the heart of all its activities.

“The primary mission of the FEI is to advance the orderly growth of equestrian sport worldwide by promoting, regulating and administering humane and sportsmanlike international competition in the traditional equestrian disciplines.” - FEI Mission Statement.

Notes to Editors:
Media who wish to attend the official signing ceremony and press conference in Lausanne (SUI) on 15 January 2013 should contact the FEI Press Relations team at press@fei.org