Best bets

The Russian State Circus China Tour in Shanghai

Date: Oct 3-4－7:30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Grand Stage

Price: RMB 80-1,280

The circus building has five arenas (equestrian, water, illusionist, ice rink, and light-effect) located 18 meters below the floor, which can be swapped during the performance. The present company employs several hundred performers and tours as the "Great Moscow State Circus". The Moscow State Circus is a state-owned enterprise. The circus organization was threatened by the dismantling of the Soviet Union. In June 2007, an attempt to privatize the building was initiated, strongly opposed by company director Leonid Kostyuk among many others. Eventually President Vladimir Putin eliminated the building from the list of state properties to be privatized. A large number of artists now belong once again to the State system.

Longines FEI World Cup Jumping-China League Final in Beijing

Date: Oct 4-7－9:30 am

Venue: Chaoyang Park

Price: RMB 88-598

Approximately 45 riders qualify from 13 leagues around the world. Usually there are 20 riders from Europe, 15 from the United States, five from Canada and five from elsewhere in the world. In the 28 World Cup finals held before 2007, United States riders emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times. Hugo Simon was the first rider to win the FEI World Cup three times, followed by Rodrigo Pessoa. Mario Deslauriers is so far the youngest winner, aged 19, in the competition's history, riding Aramis in 1984. At the beginning, the final was a rather complicated process and in 1981 its formula was modified. Since then it has not been changed. It starts with a table C (speed), followed by a jump-off competition and, after one day's rest, a two round final not against the clock.