China rides a new passion

Industry insiders say the equestrian market will soon reach its peak in terms of importing horses. Those who spoke to China Daily say that breeding European horses and training more equestrian professionals are the key for future international horse institutions in China.

"Horse import's costs a lot of money in customs duty and international transport, and some Chinese horse experts are working on projects in which a few kinds of European horses are bred in China, reducing the cost of high-end horses," Wu says.

The Chinese government has so far not introduced regulations for the equestrian industry. Many insiders say that a certification system for Chinese trainers is badly needed.

"We cannot totally borrow the Western system, which is not 100 percent suitable for the Chinese market," Wu says.

A few Chinese universities are now offering courses in equestrianism, but Wu says more graduates educated in equestrianism are needed.

"For international horse organizations and companies that contribute the most to equestrian education in China, they are the future of the Chinese market."

zhaoyanrong@chinadaily.com.cn