The opening ceremony of the 2012 China Equestrian Festival in Chengdu on Oct 13.

The eight-day 2012 China Equestrian Festival (CEF) opened on Oct 13 in Wenjiang district, Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital.

The event attracted over 200 riders from eight countries and regions, competing for 15 top prizes in five contests. Nearly 30,000 people, including 1,000 guests from 20 countries, attended the opening ceremony on the morning of Oct 13.

The contests include the FEI Show-Jumping World Cup (China Zone), the CEF Show-Jumping Grand Prix, the China Herdsman Barrel Racing Tour Event (Finals), the China Clubs League Racing, and the First Barrel Racing Event in Sichuan province. A vaulting performance is also planned for audiences.

The FEI Show-Jumping World Cup is one of the highest-level events of its kind worldwide. This is the first time the event will be held in the Chinese mainland.

The 2012 CEF is a comprehensive equestrian event that involves contests and other related activities such as the China National Equestrian Forum, the fourth International Equestrian Forum of Western China, the Horse Art Exhibition and the Sichuan Food Carnivals.

Chengdu Jinma International Racecourse, a newly built race track home to the contests and opening ceremony, is the largest in China, according to Yan Xiuying, chief judge of the China Clubs League Racing.

"The league race track is in very good condition, which satisfies the demands of hosting an international league race," said Yan. The track is 2,000 meters in girth and 25 meters wide, enabling 16 horses to compete at the same time.

Wenjiang district, famous for its sports industry and leisure travel, is trying to build the largest sports town in western China, featuring international sporting events, special sports activities and sports leisure tourism.

People in horse mascot outfits at the China Equestrian Festival opening ceremony on Oct 13 in Wenjiang, Chengdu.