Jumping into the mainstream

Grand Prix event in Beijing attracts world-class field, enthusiastic fans

Judging by crowd appreciation at last weekend's Yishion Camelot Grand Prix Jumping Equuleus in northeast Beijing, equestrian sport is galloping to new heights in China.

If not for the race commentary in Mandarin, spectators might have felt they were attending an event in Aachen, the renowned and prestigious equestrian hub in Germany.

The intense competition in six classes, with obstacles ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 meters high, along with horse shows, youth promotions and a gourmet fair in a pleasant setting on the 4,000 square-meter lawn of the Equuleus Riding Club provided a memorable weekend for every participant.

With a flawless, penalty-free ride in the final jump-off, Tom Martens of the Netherlands won the challenging 1.5m class, completing the course in 41.17 seconds.

Local riders Liang Ruiji and Liu Tongyan trailed by 1.21 and 3.30 seconds respectively to take second and third on the course designed by Germany's Olaf Petersen, who has crafted multiple Olympic and World Equestrian Games circuits.

Approved by the International Equestrian Federation as a two-star jumping event, the Beijing show attracted 260 riders, including 33 who qualified for the 1.5m final. That compares to 23 final contenders at the Grand Prix's inaugural show at Guangdong's Camelot Club in November.

The improvement in local riders' competence, race organization and stable maintenance has impressed participants and the governing body.

"This year is bigger and better, and it keeps improving all the time," said Martens, who also competed in Guangdong.

"The classes are becoming more difficult because the local riders are getting better equipment, horses and education.

"Even for those of us who compete a lot in Europe, it's not easy to win in China anymore because the local riders know how to beat us now."

Fan Heng, an official from the Chinese Equestrian Association, agreed.

"The 0.5 and 0.9-meter races provide a ladder for our young riders to test their guts and skills up to the higher and more competitive levels. We need more entry-level events like this for young Chinese riders to improve at competitions," said Fan.

The show, which included a display of ponies to intrigue children and their parents, rekindled fond memories for Martens.

"They are doing a great job here to get people really close to the horses and offering different classes from small to big. It's like in Europe. I think China needs more and more of these shows to engage more people," he said.

Since China made its equestrian debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, investment in the sport has increased as the middle class becomes more enamored with it.

More and more well-off parents are encouraging their children to join high-end equestrian clubs, while celebrities market their well-to-do images by appearing at premier events in stylish outfits.

According to the CEA, there are 628 riders training competitively with 20 teams across the country, while about 2,000 amateurs have registered with 60 clubs.

A total of 37 events of the three Olympic disciplines - jumping, dressage and eventing - will be held in China this year.

Wang Qiang, managing director of Equuleus, China's only club approved by the British Horse Society, unveiled that more events, including the national championship and a FEI three-star show, will be held at the venue from May to October.

"We've come a long way since our first jumping event here in 2002," said Wang.

"Fifteen years later, we are still committed to helping each and every rider enjoy the sport, regardless of their age or experience."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn