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Equestrian clubs canter along at own pace
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HORSE riding has traditionally been a pastime enjoyed in the northern and western regions of China since that’s where the animals could be found in the wild. But equestrianism is growing in eastern China.
Wenzhou and Hangzhou are the main centers developing the sport in Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou’s first equestrian club was founded in 2004. More have emerged in the past decade, which is good for customers as they push each other to provide better service and facilities.
Shanghai Daily takes a ride to three popular clubs in Hangzhou and provides a rundown of their services.
Yang Li Equestrian Club
The club was founded in 2010 and stands on the bank of the Qiantang River. Members say they love to “appreciate the tides of the Qiantang River” while riding a horse.
The tide can be seen twice daily, and to ride a horse from the club to the river takes just a few minutes.
“To urge horse on a prairie is cool, but not possible in the city, so we organize riding in the countryside every month,” says Tan Wenbin, owner of the Yang Li club, adding there is also a route through a forest and over farmland.
Every summer, the club organizes members to ride in the prairies of northeastern China. Members also take part in various competitions from time to time.
The club owns 30 horses and provides teaching, riding, horse training and caring services. The ranch also features fishing, a barbecue area and fruit picking.
Tan, who had his equestrian training in Beijing, claims that the market in southern China is much smaller compared to the north because southern Chinese people are not familiar with equestrian culture.
He says, “the breakthrough will come with teenagers and young people.”
To ride a horse for two rounds costs 50 yuan, but a 45-minute class is priced at 580 yuan.
Address: Yangli Farm, Jiangdong Village, Hezhuang Community, Xiaoshan District
Tel: (0571) 8212-1777
B&J Equitation Club
To train adults in equitation was the ambition of the B&J Equitation Club when it was established in 2004.
However, gradually teenagers have become their main customers and today the club is responsible for training the Hangzhou Youth Equestrian Team.
With the growth of the middle and upper classes in developed cities, sending children overseas for middle school has become more common. And parents here are finding that extracurricular activities like equestrianism are important to these schools.
“A majority of our junior members are preparing for their future life in another country,” says Chen Xiaoling, manager of B&J Equitation Club. She knows of a dozen students who have been accepted into foreign middle schools in part because of their equestrian skills.
The club is in Sandun Town and covers an area of about 70,000 square meters. The club owns an 800-meter track, 60 thoroughbreds and several foreign coaches. Hong Kong experts operate the club.
It accepts members only and membership costs 36,000 yuan a year. A 45-minute class costs 380 yuan. To buy a horse costs at least 20,000 yuan.
Address: Shanlian Village, Sandun Town, Xihu District
Tel: (0571) 8896-6569
Zuihong Equestrian Club
Dong Zuihong started this club in 2012. The merchant picked up the sport as a way to stay fit and relax after enduring difficult alcohol-fueled business meetings.
He quickly fell in love with the sport and is now the chairman of Hangzhou Equestrian Association.
“Horse riding helps me stay healthy, the most important thing in life, and I want to spread the sport to others,” Dong says.
His daughter is a two-time winner of the national equestrian long-distance endurance event.
The club has 13 horses and six professional coaches. He spent a year in Europe visiting chateaus and equestrian clubs before establishing Zuihong.
Dong’s main businesses are selling wine and tourism services, making the club and horse riding more of a hobby.
He says he has invested so much in the greenery that “it probably cost more than the land itself. The grass and plantations are evergreen, and the track is 60 meters by 180 meters — the international standard is 60 meters by 90 meters.
However, the club remains affordable with prices ranging from 200 yuan (US$32) to 300 yuan for a 45-minute class.
Other facilities include a hotel, chateaus, teahouse, fishing area, restaurant, bars and conference room.
“Chinese people are getting rich, however, I see many of them are spending a lot of money in unhealthy places like casinos. I want to show them a real healthy lifestyle at our ranch,” Dong says.
Address: Heshang Village, Xiaoshan District
Tel: 400-108-1919
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