Reforms key to promote equestrian in China: sports official

An official of China Sports Bureau said that reforms are necessary for equestrian to be developed as a sport in China, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Tian Hua, deputy director of China Sports Bureau's Equestrian Department, said that a new policy on quarantine issues involving Chinese horses and riders would help the sport, which also includes allowing foreign and private investors into the sport.

"Due to entry and exit quarantine issues, Chinese horses and riders don't get much chance on the international stage. A new policy would help the sport while foreign and private investments should be welcomed," Tian was quoted as saying.

"A number of famous brands of horse-related products are made in China. However, China hardly has its own well-known brand in this aspect," Tian added. "We hope the introduction of such competitions can enhance horse trading between China and Europe."

A Shanghai official also said on May 7 that the sport of equestrian receives much promotion through international events like Global Champions Tour, the report said.

The three-day 2015 Longines Champions Tour was held in the China Art Museum in Pudong. According to the report, this is the second time that Shanghai hosted the event, which made its mainland debut last year.

"We are glad to see the competition has been received well and attracted spectators from out of Shanghai as well," Sun Weiming, deputy director of Shanghai Sports Bureau, said.

"Because of the tour, some local equestrian competitions like the China Tour and the club championships are receiving increased public attention," Sun added.

"The sports bureau has also benefitted by participating in such a world-class event, namely experience in handling quarantine issues. We are now in touch with the animal husbandry department that will go a long way to develop the sport in the future," Sun furthered.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the equestrian event was put on hold due to quarantine issues, the report said.

Last year, Shanghai, which is not a member of the International Equestrian Federation, had to negotiate with the European Union's agriculture committee to have the city declared as a temporary non-epidemic area.