Longines has become the Fédération Equestre Internationale’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, Switzerland, on Jan. 15, 2013, when the contract will be signed jointly by FEI President HRH Princess Haya and 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,” 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 revolutionize the way we are able to produce our sport across all of our disciplines. I am enormously grateful to Nayla Hayek and her Board for recognising the incredible potential and possibilities of the ever-growing equestrian sport.”

Hayek 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.”