Team China's first appearance at European equestrian events

Team China’s first appearance at European equestrian events

From Thursday until Sunday, a team of 20 show-jumpers from China participated at the first event of the China Equestrian International Development (CEID) Europe League at the CSI1*/CSI2* at the Equestrian Centre Peelbergen in Kronenberg, the Netherlands, setting a precedent for Chinese equestrian sports competing in European events. The aim is to promote equestrian sport in China by giving talented Chinese riders the opportunity to start in Europe and gain valuable experience. After the successful and hopeful start in Kronenberg, the Chinese show jumping team will start next weekend at CSI1*/CSI3* at SenTower Park in Opglabbeek, Belgium, the second and last station of the CEID European League.

The opening of the CEID Europe League has received strong support from Fosun Group, a Chinese international conglomerate and investment company. Being a main sponsor of the Longines China TourBeijing event in 2017, Fosun Group announced its official entry into international equestrian sports at the beginning of 2018. Sunvision Capital, a subsidiary of Fosun Group, acquired 51% of the equity of CEID, China Equestrian International Development (Beijing) Co., Ltd., and became the majority shareholder of CEID. “Horse sports sector” was added to the Fosun industry portfolio, achieving new breakthroughs in the consumption upgrade in the sports sector, and carrying out international cooperation. Mr. Wen Xiaodong, Assistant to the President of Fosun Group, President of Fosun Infrastructure Group and Founding Partner & CEO of Sunvision Capital, said: “We will vigorously promote the development of equestrian sports on the basis of the existing events, select and train outstanding Chinese athletes, and provide full support for the Olympic strategy of the General Administration of the Sport and the Chinese Equestrian Association.”

The first event of the CEID League at the Peelbergen Equestrian Center in Kronenberg, the Netherlands, was the perfect start. The center is located in the Province of Limburg, close to the famous equestrian sites like Aachen and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The organizers of the event have welcomed many Chinese riders to participate, promising to create convenient conditions, provide good service facilities, protect welfare of the rider and horse, and cooperate further with China on training in the long term.

Since 2013, more and more international equestrian events are held in China, and the Chinese equestrian industry has shown an accelerated development trend. There are now nearly 1,500 equestrian clubs and more than three million equestrian enthusiasts according to the latest statistics.

Along with the development of Chinese equestrian sports, the world is paying attention to this region. Ingmar De Vos, President of the International Equestrian Federation, previously stated that “Foreign established professionals are turning their attention to this region and the commitment to build the foundation is clearly present in the equestrian community in China.” CEID’ support of 20 top Chinese riders to compete in the European arena also attracted the attention of the international equestrian community. Nayla Stössel, Chairman of the Longines CSIO St. Gallen and Board Member of the European Equestrian Federation, said: “CEID‘s support for top Chinese riders to gain experience in Europe is an important step for them on the world stage. It also unveils the development of Chinese equestrian sports and writes a new chapter in the cooperation of Chinese and European equestrianism.”

CEID supports the Chinese Equestrian Association (CEA) in preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is the sole organizer of the Longines China Tour – the official international show jumping series of the CEA. The series has been held at different locations in every year since 2014. In 2018, the Longines China Tour’s Beijing event will be held at the foot of the famous Great Wall, Ju Yong Guan from 14 to 16 September, which will write a new chapter in the development of the Great Wall Cultural Belt. The second event of this year’s Longines China Tour will be held in Guangzhou from 30 November to 2 December.

Ms. Jessica Zhang, General Manager of CEID, said: “Europe is famous for its tradition and strength in equestrian sports and plays an important role in the Olympics and world equestrian events. CEID conducts equestrian sports events in Europe, which will provide opportunities for Chinese riders to learn, to gain experiences and share their experience. We will also be more exposed to rider training and event operations in those move advanced equestrian countries. All these will be of great help in further promoting the equestrian sports to Chinese youth.“