Challenges of the long-distance rider

Photo Provided to China Daily

Cheng plans to take part in a two-star FEI endurance competition (120-139 km in one day or between 70 km and 89 km a day over two days) in France in November.

He aims to qualify to compete in a three-star endurance match (140-160 km in one day or 90-100 km a day over two days, or 70-80 km a day over three days or more) soon. His ultimate goal is to attend the FEI World Equestrian Games, which are held every four years, in Montreal in 2018.

Ten years or so ago some Chinese riders went overseas for competitions in which they could accrue points so they could qualify for the Olympic Games held in Beijing in 2008, says Wutzala, editor-in-chief of the Chinese equestrian website Horse.org.cn.

There are now 10 Chinese riders who have accrued international race points, six from the mainland and four from Hong Kong, he says.

The FEI stipulates that contestants have to start from lower-level competitions and build up points to qualify for higher-level ones.

"Some professional Chinese teams used to have horses maintained abroad and hire foreign trainers," he says.

"But it is very rare now because costs were exorbitant, and some crooked dealings were going on with the purchase of horses."

China's equestrian industry is generally rated as only average in Asia, which means the country's riders who want to improve their skills are more or less obliged to compete in events overseas.

Chinese riders need to pick and understand horses on their own and participate in training when throwing their hats into the ring for foreign competitions, Wutzala says.

"(The whole process) enables them to learn more about match strategies and become better acquainted with competition rules and skills."

At the same time, overseas experience offers an insight into how horses are maintained and trained in places where horsemanship programs are well developed. That includes learning about horse nutrition and top-class veterinarian care.