Galloping into a glorious future

Shanghai pulling out all the stops to boost nation's equestrian ambitions

China's efforts to move up in the equestrian world are gaining pace, with Shanghai playing a pivotal role as the nation's horse hub.

The sixth edition of the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour over the weekend was testimony to the city's burgeoning love affair with all things equine as around 60 of the world's leading show jumpers and their mounts entertained well-heeled crowds in the ritzy Pudong district.

As a CSI level-5 event sanctioned by international governing body the FEI, the meet is at the forefront of the sport's development in China.

"I have to say I'm very impressed by how quickly equestrianism has been growing in China," said Marco Danese, sport director of the Longines Global Champions Tour.

"If you look back over the past six years, the change has been huge. It's not only about our event; the changes outside the tournament have been monumental.

"I'm talking about the whole equestrian market and industry in China. This is also a goal of our project. As the top level of the sport, we want to show it's something that requires time and dedication.

"Equestrianism shows the relationship between horse and human. Also, kids can start riding when they are 5 or 6 years old and can go on to enjoy it until they are 60."

Over the weekend, two of China's new breed of riders, Zhang Xingjia and Zhang You, joined veterans Zhang Bin and Yuan Maodong to saddle up against the world's best on what is the fourth stop of the 20-leg circuit.

"With the support of the Chinese Equestrian Association, China's equestrian strength is developing dramatically," said Yuan, who also coaches.

"Years ago, when I competed in Europe, I could barely see a Chinese national flag. But now we can see more and more Chinese riders at international meets."

In March, 20-year-old Zhang Xingjia and 18-year-old Zhang You were called up to China's national team in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Zhang You's debut at the Shanghai meet made him the youngest Chinese rider ever to compete at that level.

In February, the teenager ranked 13th at the 1.60m jumping competition at the Longines Masters in Hong Kong, the best result by a Chinese rider in that category at a level-5 event.

"Riding just makes me happy, and I always have fun and meet new friends through this sport," said Zhang You, who took up the sport at age 9.

His enjoyment, of course, comes with risk, but taking the odd tumble is of little concern: "It's very normal to fall off the horse's back, which is a part of the sport," he said.

The emergence of the likes of Zhang You owes a lot to the Champions Tour's annual stop in Shanghai.

"The success of the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour for the past six years has greatly helped the development of Chinese equestrian," said Zhong Guowei, a vice-president of the Asian Equestrian Federation and secretary general of Chinese Equestrian Association (CEA).

"The four Chinese riders who participated here showed the growing strength of Chinese equestrianism.

"Now we have to meet new challenges of development. The CEA is trying to build a more comprehensive and better quality competition system in China.

"We hope through the platform of the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour, Chinese riders can learn from the world's best."