China is still a relative newcomer to equestrian sport but is already targeting podium success in international competition－specifically at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. (Photo by Cheng Jiabei/For China Daily)
More and more parents are encouraging their children to join riding clubs, while the sport's public profile has been enhanced by the ubiquitous presence of celebrities trying to outdo each other in the style stakes at equestrian events.
The number of clubs increased to 1,452 by the end of 2017, with about 545 new facilities opened between 2016 and 2017, according to data from the annual China Horse Fair.
Club memberships now total around 972,000, an annual rise of 68 percent.
"The industry is galloping to new heights in facilities, making the sport more accessible than before for everyone interested to take part in," said Liu Lina, China's only dressage entrant at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a current national team coach.
"Leaping off a bigger and better platform than we had in the past, I believe this group of riders will deliver us surprises in 2020."
