On December 7, 2014, the Longines Finals of the Hong Kong Jockey Club China Tour wrapped up at the sports training center in Huangcun, Guangzhou. It was a milestone — the first Chinese equestrian competition to achieve FEI 3-star status on home soil. Prize money reached RMB 1,630,000 across four events: common challenge, classic, Hong Kong Jockey Club championship, and Longines Grand Prix — plus dressage and ultra-high jumping.

How the Venue Came Together

Liri Tent supplied more than 10,000 square meters of event marquee structures across three function zones:

• VIP & Catering: Classic A-frame equestrian tents with transparent roof panels, wooden cassette flooring, and climate control — serving judges, sponsors, and VIP guests through steady rain.
• Spectator Areas: Polygon marquees as multi-functional lounges. Double-decker tents gave viewing platforms and judging stations overlooking the arena.
• Stables: Dedicated stable tents kept horses dry and ventilated between competitions — a five-star setup for equine athletes.

Event Day: Rain and 10,000 sqm of Shelter

Despite steady rain, attendance held strong. Olympic champion Ben Maher (UK) won the Longines Grand Prix. Chinese riders also delivered — in the dressage freestyle, Guangdong’s Gu Bing, Huang Zhuoqin, and Tian Zhiqin swept the top three. Erden Gizhigara reached the Grand Prix playoff with a zero-penalty second round (145-150cm class) but narrowly missed the title.

General Secretary Li Nianxi of the China Equestrian Association noted the Guangzhou station drew the highest-caliber field of the four-race tour, and that Liri’s tent infrastructure was essential to keeping the event operational through heavy rain.

Why Modular Event Marquees Beat Fixed Venues

For high-end sporting events, a sports tent setup offers advantages a permanent building cannot match:

• Site flexibility: Structures placed directly beside the arena eliminate long walks between events.
• Branding: Custom-printed canopies and tailored layouts reinforce sponsor visibility — Longines branding was prominent across Liri structures.
• Deployment speed: The full 10,000 sqm was installed days before the event, dismantled equally fast — no permanent footprint.
• Cost: For a weekend event, modular marquees cost a fraction of a permanent hospitality building.

For organizations sourcing equestrian event marquees directly from manufacturers, verify wind-load rating (100 km/h minimum), fire certification (DIN4102 B1), and frame warranty (10+ years on aluminium 6061/T6).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tent space does an equestrian event need?

For a 3-star FEI event, plan 3-5 sqm per attendee across all zones. The Guangzhou finals used 10,000+ sqm for ~2,500 attendees plus stabling for 50+ horses. Smaller regional events need 2,000-5,000 sqm of covered space.

Can these tents handle rain and wind during a live event?

Yes. Liri’s aluminium-frame marquees are rated for 100 km/h wind loads. The Guangzhou finals ran through a full day of steady rain without structural issues. Rain gutters between modules kept walkways dry.

How quickly can a full event venue be set up?

A 10,000 sqm multi-zone installation takes 5-7 days with 8-12 experienced installers. Smaller setups (500-2,000 sqm) are ready in 2-3 days. Dismantling takes about 60-70% of setup time.

What tent types work for different event zones?

Multi-zone events use a mix: A-frame clear-span tents for VIP and catering, polygon marquees for lounges, double-decker tents for viewing, and standard frame tents for stables. All connect with rain gutters into a continuous weatherproof campus.