Outside Playing Riding Clubs: A Comparison Equuleus International Riding Club 天星调良国际马术俱乐部 Founded in 1999, this popular riding club now houses more than 120 horses, including European warmbloods, thoroughbreds, mixed breeds, and local breeds. A member of the Chinese Equestrian Association, Equuleus is also the only British Horse Society (BHS) approved riding club on the mainland. Courses cater to beginners all the way up to national-level show jumping and dressage riders. The club has two 60 by 90m arenas and a smaller indoor arena. Currently, two additional indoor arenas and 66 stable boxes are under construction. Training team: The Equuleus team counts more than 10 bilingual trainers who regularly participate in national-level competitions. Chief Trainer Zhang Ke is a regular medal winner in various domestic and international competitions. Deputy Chief Trainer Yang Fujun is the only BHS-approved international instructor on the mainland. Cost: The annual membership fee is RMB 2,000 for one rider and RMB 5,000 for two to five riders. After the membership is paid, each 45-minute lesson costs RMB 296 to RMB 362. On top of that, there’s a coaching fee of RMB 50 to RMB 200 per lesson. Address and contact: 91 Shunbai Lu (north of and parallel to Xiangjiang Beilu), Sunhe Town, Chaoyang District (8459 0236/0206, equuleushorse@163.com) www.equriding.com (English and Chinese) 朝阳区顺白路91号香江花园北门马泉营村北
photos: Clemence Jiang
Beijing Asgard Equestrian Club 北京亚萨园马术俱乐部 Founded in 2007, Asgard houses more than 50 horses, around 20 of which are used for teaching. According to the club, their training courses are more popular with children than adults. Two 80 by 90m
arenas are used for training and competition. Besides training, the club can also board horses, has fishing and barbecue facilities, and offers carriages for rent (RMB 5,000-20,000 per day). Training team: Asgard has seven trainers. Most of them speak English and average 10 years of experience in teaching, riding, and professional competitions. Cost: RMB 2,500/10 lessons, RMB 6,800/30 lessons, RMB 15,800/80 lessons, and RMB 38,000/200 lessons. A one-hour lesson includes 15 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of training. Address and contact: 31 Shunhuang Lu (just west of Danshui Restaurant), Chaoyang District (8459 5908, asgardclub@hotmail. com) a677700259.oinsite.yh.mynet.cn 朝阳区孙河顺黄路31号
Mustang 牧马堂 Founded last year, newcomer Mustang is a more intimate club that focuses on beginner riding skills, especially for children. So far, it has more than 100 members and most of them are kids (both local and foreign). Mustang has a 60 by 90m arena for training and 22 horses, including warmbloods, mixed-breed Orlov Trotters, and local breeds. Training team: Mustang’s team is composed of eight coaches who are more concerned with teaching skills rather than focusing on competition. Cost: RMB 480/lesson, RMB 6,800/40 lessons, RMB 11,800/85 lessons, RMB 25,800/185 lessons Address and contact: South of Liulin Village, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District (English: 5652 6388, Chinese: 5652 6385) www. mustang.org.cn 海淀区苏家坨镇柳林村南
Rebecca and her coach, Jeremy Michaels
Tack room at Equuleus
September 2013
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