HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein of Jordan has been awarded a prestigious award from Swiss watchmaker Longines.

The 2015 Longines Ladies Award ceremony was held at Hampton Court Palace

in the UK, on June 15 and was attended by the leaders of the global equine sports industry.

Former Olympic showjumper, two-term President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), FEI Honorary President and Classic-winning racehorse owner, Princess Haya received the honour in recognition of her outstanding elegance as a competitor, a leader and a woman working tirelessly for the good of equestrian sports, said Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines.

Princess Haya said: “It is a massive honour to be the winner and the recipient of this award. I have so many people to thank and in every way I accept this award on behalf of the many women who have helped me along the way. The fact is that horses bring out the best in people and it’s all about working together. Nothing that I have ever achieved have I done alone.”

The daughter of King Hussein of Jordan, Princess Haya received the 2015 Longines Ladies Award consisting of a Longines pocket watch: The Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Horses Trio 1911. 

The model that served as an inspiration for this 18-carat rose gold very limited edition is a Longines pocket timepiece dating from 1911 with a cleverly crafted background depicting a trio of horses. 

The heads of these three proud animals stand out against a background of delicately worked foliage. This model features the L878.4 calibre with manual winding, a Longines manufacture movement.

The Longines Ladies Awards recognise the success and achievements of elegant women at the very highest level of the global equine sports industry. 

The jury featured three leaders in world equestrianism: Ingmar de Vos, President of the FEI; Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); and Nathalie Bélinguier, President of the International Federation of Gentleman and Lady Riders (FEGENTRI).

Romanet paid tribute to Princess Haya’s role in promoting collaboration at the top level of equestrian sports: “She was a very good and very elegant show jumping rider before becoming an outstanding President of the FEI for eight years. Princess Haya was elected as the first President of the International Horse Sports Confederation which we created together in 2014 as a formal vehicle of cooperation between the FEI and IFHA.”

Bélinguier said: “Princess Haya has a spirit of competition and excellence. She especially illustrates this in her elegance as a woman, the way in which she ran the FEI, which she directed marvellously well. Her noble way and her class have shown us this.”

FEI President Ingmar de Vos said: “Princess Haya has had a profound and long lasting effect not only on equestrian sport and all those involved in it but also on countless women outside the sport, who have been inspired by her determination, her strength and integrity. The Longines Ladies Award is a wonderful tribute to her consummate sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the field and her ability to empower individuals and communities around the world.”

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Longines’ passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when it produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Seen on the racetracks as early as 1881 and extremely popular among jockeys and horse-lovers, this model enabled its user to time performances to the seconds. 

In addition, the Swiss watch brand has been partnering with show jumping events since 1912. Today, Longines is involved in show jumping, flat racing and eventing.

Longines is a member of the Swatch Group. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 140 countries.