Beijing, People’s Republic of China (November 3, 2015) – The fantastic façade of the iconic 2008 Olympic Stadium set the stage for a week of top equestrian sport in the heart of Beijing, with over 100 horses competing for around 1.3 million RMB in prize money. The Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters ran from October 23-25, 2015, and featured world class show jumping, equestrian demonstrations, workshops, substantial spectator attendance, and an unprecedented internationally collaborative atmosphere.

Having just completed its fifth year, the Beijing Masters has acted as a catalyst for the development of sustainable equestrian sport in China. Top riders from around the world are invited to attend, and compete against the best Chinese equestrians as a way to introduce and integrate the sport into Chinese culture and expose both its riders and spectators to international caliber competition. Because of an unsolved quarantine issue, the international riders participate on borrowed horses, ramping up the challenge. Ludger Beerbaum and Leonidas clinched the title in the event’s headline class, the individual Grand Prix. With 11 international and 22 Chinese riders, the Grand Prix was a landmark event for horse sport in China. The Masters also included a team competition, wherein one international rider and two Chinese riders formed teams of three. The riders collaborated on all aspects of the competition, from tack and training to walking the course. The experience of the international riders, which hailed from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Great Britain, and France, combined with the enthusiasm and talent of the Chinese riders to create a unique competitive atmosphere.

With show jumping and other equestrian disciplines growing exponentially in China, the organizers of the Beijing Masters have placed a great emphasis on the quality of its events, riders, and competition. Enlisting the support and experience of the Aachen Reitturnier GmbH, organizers of the CHIO Aachen, the show has built on a strong initial foundation in 2011 into an exceptional international showcase of equestrian sport. Beerbaum is also a co-organizer and consultant for the event, which made his victory in the Grand Prix that much more poignant. With the long-term goal of establishing the show permanently as a 5-star competition, the organization took another major step in the right direction with the culmination of the 2015 Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters.

While China does have a major equestrian association similar to the USEF, the pony clubs and equestrian events are more privatized, with many groups and small associations that host competitions. For the majority of the population, international caliber horse sport is an entirely new experience, and the organizers of the Masters have sought to teach, as well as entertain, spectators during its events. One such initiative was at the Hermès booth, where attendees are introduced to tack and other riding equipment, as well as the rules of the sport and even pony rides for children. The Masters also featured demonstrations of dressage and a presentation of traditional Hungarian riding before Saturday night’s international team competition.

This increased exposure for the general population, along with the steadily growing participation and interest in equestrian events, will hopefully open doors for China to become a more internationally competitive equestrian nation. Some obstacles are still in place, such as exceptionally long and complicated quarantine processes, but by harnessing the growing interest in and passion for the sport, unique venues such as the Bird’s Nest, and the expertise of top riders and organizers, the Masters is building a strong foundation for international equestrian sport in China.

Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
954 205 7992
holly@equinium.com