Beijing hosting world's top riders

The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping China League will celebrate its fourth year by welcoming the cream of the international riding crop to the equestrian venue at Beijing's Chaoyang Park from April 25 to May 3.

Launched in 2011, the event is the only official route for Chinese riders to qualify for the World Cup year-end finals, and also offers a platform for local equestrian stars to compete with the world's best.

"Over the past four years Chinese equestrian sport has made a great leap forward thanks to international events such as the China League," said Li Nianxi, secretary-general of the China Equestrian Association.

"We have become one of busiest hosts of equestrian competitions in Asia, having held 14 events last year. The World Cup Jumping China League provides an excellent platform for us to popularize equestrian and upgrade our riders' abilities, and we are giving top priority to developing our young and promising athletes."

The China League will graduate only one qualifying rider from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and South Korea to compete in the FEI World Cup jumping finals.

Ten riders from the US, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, New Zealand and Australia will take part in the Beijing competition, along with around 200 Chinese riders.

The international field includes world No 13 Roger Yves Bost of France, German veteran Franke Sloothaak, 20-year-old New Zealand star Luke Dee, and Egypt's Nayel Nassar, who won the FEI World Cup Jumping North America West and East Coast leagues.

The FEI World Cup Jumping, created in 1978, is an annual international competition among the world's best show jumping horses and riders.

(China Daily 04/15/2014 page23)