Etihad jumps to it for elite equestrian event

Etihad Cargo shipped a consignment of elite four-legged passengers from Belgium to Hong Kong for the Longines Masters – the second year in a row that it has been entrusted to transport horses to the show-jumping event.
The 51 steeds were accompanied by eight grooms and a veterinarian on the round-trip journey from Liège to Hong Kong International. The complement included Hong Kong Longines Grand Prix winner Aquila, Paris winner Cornet D’Amour, as well as other champions including Pegase du Murier, Silver Deux de Virton and Garfield.
Etihad Cargo vice president, Justin Carr, said: “Our equine customers are very important to us and our focus on safe, comfortable and reliable services made us a preferred partner for these specialist services. Last year alone, Etihad Cargo’s SkyStables shipped more than 2,500 horses around the world.”
The Longines Masters horses travelled on a Boeing 777 freighter equipped with a specially designed ventilation structure and temperature control system, both vital for transporting horses. It is also equipped with IATA-approved horse “air stalls” fitted with non-slip floors and stocked with hay and water to keep their occupants fed and hydrated throughout the flight.
Etihad’s Boeing 777 freighters can be configured to carry up to 75 horses and nine grooms at a time.
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