Challenges of the long-distance rider

Photo Provided to China Daily

Chinese riders are apt to overlook small but important details - for example, erroneously wearing riding boosts instead of sports shoes in endurance matches, Wutzala says.

Generally, those with overseas-competition experience are likely to have the upper hand over those who have had none, he says. However, not all riders heading overseas do so with competition ambitions in mind. Some simply do it for the pleasure.

"Overseas horse racing has become something some Chinese tourists build their travel itineraries around," Wutzala says.

In one instance in 2012, 30 horse riders formed a group and attended an endurance competition in Hungary.

Incentives such as visa restrictions being eased are also drawing Chinese riders overseas.

Many European countries offer them one - or two-year visas if competition organizers issue invitations, Wutzala says.

Of course, there are benefits in this for the host countries, too. France, for example, has practically gone into the business of exporting its standardized equestrian management to China, and at the same time is promoting the sale of equestrian equipment, he says.

Competing internationally demands the highest character and skills of competitors, says Jeremy Michaels, training and equine director of the Warwickshire-based British Horse Society.

At the Equuleus International Riding Club in Beijing, Michaels has been training Chinese horsemanship coaches and private horse owners in the art of passing on their show jumping skills. In doing so, last year he helped the club become the first British Horse Society-approved training and examination center on the mainland.

"A rider needs talent, a fantastic horse, dedication, a good support team, focus, professionalism and luck," Michaels says.

Depending on the discipline - show jumping, dressage and cross-country - they are focusing on, they will need to have a trustworthy coach who has confidence in them, has access to the right facilities and hopefully a sponsor, because competing at the top level can be very expensive, Michaels says.