Equestrianism should not equal to elitism in China

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By CGTN's Chen Chen

Values behind a perception are much more essential than what is on the surface, and that is what China's equestrian industry insiders are trying to let more Chinese horse enthusiasts understand.

A rider at China's Equuleus International Riding Club. /CFP Photo

Understanding equestrianism

They are pushing for people to realize that values behind the sport, are also more than just social classes. One of these values includes craftsmanship.

Wang Qiang, director and general manager of Equuleus and Equestrian Manager at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, talked about her diligent work in every step of the way in building China's best and world-class riding club, the Equuleus International Riding Club that is located in the suburbs of Beijing.

Wang Qiang, director and general manager of Equuleus and Equestrian Manager at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing talks to CGTN. /CGTN Photo

She is pushing for more education and training and has been working tirelessly in the past, fixing every imperfection.

"Back in the day, I just wanted to do every day’s thing right – take good care of every horse, and teach every client well," Wang told CGTN's Chen Chen.

"When you have a solid foundation, you have a better chance to produce a good coach, good rider, or even an Olympic rider. Otherwise, the chance (to produce anything top level) would be random and little.”

Wang and her husband founded Equuleus in 1999. Almost 20 years later, The Club has grown into the best riding club in this country. It has accredited by the Chinese Horse-sports Examination and Rating System as a four-star riding club, a level no other clubs in China has achieved.

Britain's Princess Anne speaks at the BHS Education Project launch ceremony in Beijing, July 4, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Equuleus also recently launched the British Horse Society Education Project, aiming to focus on education of professionals and riding clubs at all levels. Britain's Princess Anne witnessed the signing agreement on Tuesday.

Education lets more and more people understand the real values behind equestrianism, which according to Wang is not treating horses like a tool or a beast, but care about the relationship between riders and horses, and consider horse welfare.

Her idea has been echoed by another horse enthusiast, Pu Cunxin, actor, and chairman of the China Theater Association. He described his horse "Zhi Qing," which means "educated youths" in Chinese, as a buddy, or company.

Pu Cunxin, actor and chairman of the China Theatre Association with horses in Beijing, January 17, 2016. /CFP Photo

China's horse industry is growing exponentially. By the end of 2016, the number of Chinese equestrian clubs has increased to 907 clubs. From 2015 to 2016, there were 100 new equestrian clubs opened across China. The average annual growth rate of equestrian club memberships in China is up 33 percent, reaching 270,000 members by the end of 2016, according to China Horse Fair.

Horsemanship has real values behind

At this moment, Chinese people might still think equestrianism is elitism, a sport that is unapproachable to many others.

However, China's Olympic rider Alex Hua Tian is fighting against the elitism tag.

Hua thinks there are much more real values attached to it. He hopes when people tune into this sport either on TV or online, they appreciate the essential message, which is partnership, compassion, responsibilities, and respect.

Chinese Olympic rider Alex Hua Tian talks to CGTN. /CGTN Photo

Leading a charity program called "Changing Lives through Horses" under the British Horse Society, the top rider has already invited children from all backgrounds to see horses and spend time with them.

He told CGTN he believes children get to develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership from the program, and these are values that matter not only to the children, but also important in society.

"At the moment, equestrianism equals elitism, and it's not right. To me, it’s not true. Equestrianism equals partnership, equals horsemanship, compassion, responsibility, respect."

In the future, Hua vows to fight for the right concept of equestrianism.

"For me, at the moment what we are doing is just starting that journey. I hope over the next five, ten, twenty years, [people will] begin to understand, what it is. [That is] equestrianism equals horsemanship, not elitism," Hua said.

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