A new equestrian event took place in China earlier this month.
The 2013 Shanghai International Horse Festival (7-15 December) had showjumping competitions, international dressage displays, seminars, workshops and “have a go” opportunities.
The show has been developed by Equex China Investment Co and is managed by HPower, the organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show.
The highlight of the Festival, which is held in a purpose built 8,000sq metre indoor arena, was the Longines Shanghai Celebrity Grand Prix.
The 15,000 visitors also watched an hour-long equestrian pageant, “The Horse on the Bund,” which brings together Eastern and Western riding traditions.
At the opening ceremony a charitable foundation, The Equex Foundation was launched to promote equestrian culture and equine welfare in China.
The foundation will also support the training and development of Chinese riders.
The Chinese may only have a riding population of 150,000, but there is a soaring interest in equestrianism as reported in H&H in February.
