Equestrian sector saddles up for growth

Harnessing potential

The latest industry figures certainly point to the potential of an emerging equestrian clientele－riders under 6 years old made up 48.08 percent of Chinese club members and those aged 7-13 years made up 40.38 percent of membership in 2019. The report stated that in 2017,59 percent of adult equestrian consumers were female.

Beijinger Liu Yue is one of the growing number of well-heeled riding enthusiasts who regularly take their children to equestrian clubs in the capital's Shunyi district. Together with her two daughters, Liu, 49, makes the rounds in the paddock to perfect their trots and canters on their beloved mounts.

"I've ridden in different parts of the world but riding at home has its advantages. We get to practice in the city clubs, and explore the beautiful grasslands, mountains and other pristine wilderness in the country's north in all seasons.

"Chinese riding trips also allow us to get up close with local ethnic communities with traditional equestrian lifestyles and customs. That magnifies the inimitable experience on horseback which any rider home and abroad will surely find unforgettable."

Rising Chinese equestrian interest and investment have also drawn foreign participation and presence in the sector.

In 2017, the total number of horses purchased by Chinese riding clubs surpassed 20,400, with imported horses making up more than 63 percent, according to the report. Foreign equestrian expertise has also been growing steadily, with more than 300 specialists, including riding club instructors and horse handlers, registered every year, it said.

Ma Li, who chairs the urban sports work promotion committee under the Chinese Enterprise Sports Association and former deputy director of Beijing's Dongcheng district sports bureau, said there is growing emphasis on the benefits of outdoor activities, of which equestrianism forms a large part.

"We must continue to make full use of our resources and improve accessibility to them, from the expansive grasslands to the beaches in coastal recreational areas, to urban riding clubs," he said.