March 23, 2020 
With COVID-19 spurred event cancellations now spreading into June and July, the Longines Masters has pulled the plug on the Lausanne leg of their 2020 season.
It’s the second event of the intercontinental series cancelled this year. In January, the Longines Masters of Hong Kong and Asia Horse Week were called off due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Originally slated for June 18–21, the second edition of the Longines Masters of Lausanne won’t go ahead as a precautionary measure, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“To date and, in the current state of the global health crisis, no one knows whether sporting and cultural events will be able to go ahead in Switzerland in mid-June. No one can guarantee that we will be out of this crisis, that we will be able to welcome horses and the public and deliver the wonderful event that everyone is awaiting. More importantly, the current dialogue with suppliers and partners, who, given the context, may be reluctant or even unable to operate due to containment and/or due to the economy being at a standstill, means that running the event is made impossible. The Longines Masters Series is world renowned for its excellence, a level that we are not sure we can achieve under the current conditions for preparation,” explained Christophe Ameeuw, founder and president of EEM, organizer of the Series.
“After the cancellation of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong and Asia Horse Week, we have cautiously proceeded with the organization of the Longines Masters of Lausanne, with the passion that characterizes the team
surrounding me. Despite this, wisdom dictates that we should forego the Swiss leg of our series this year.
“This is a difficult and strange period: it is up to us, as players in the global equestrian sector, to take heed of the lessons we are learning, and start building our world for tomorrow.”
The next stage in the Longines Masters Series will take place in Paris, December 3 to 6, 2020. Hopefully.
