The game of polo is attracting increasing numbers of Chinese. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Wang Chenyu, 10, began practicing polo about three months ago at Xia's club.

Before that, she had practiced horsemanship for more than six years, primarily dressage.

She decided to learn polo after watching a few competitions.

Wang says: "I feel it's more interesting than dressage and I can play with a team.

"Plus, I can use some of what I have learned in dressage in polo."

As of now, Wang has grasped the basic skills of swinging the mallet and controlling a running polo horse.

Her parents send her to the club once a week, mostly at weekends, but the frequency will increase during major holidays and school vacations.

Wang normally practices three to four hours during each visit to the club.

Her mother, Zhou Ping, says: "She's very excited and looks forward to playing when the weekend approaches."

Given her daughter's age, it will take roughly a year of training before she can play.

The sport requires great body strength and a sense of balance, since riders can use only one hand to secure the horse and need to vary body position during play.

Zhou says that she and her husband do not expect their daughter to play professionally.

"We will support her wherever her interests take her," says Zhou.

But they hope Wang can take part in the 2022 Winter Olympics if polo is chosen as an event and if their daughter meets the requirements.