Youngsters reign

A young competitor in an equestrian event at the Equuleus International Riding Club in Chaoyang district, Beijing. Photos provided to China Daily

As equestrian pursuits become more popular, children are leading the charge. Yang Feiyue reports.

China's horse stampede is on, and children are leading the charge.

Most new riders are children, Chinese equestrian website Horse.org.cn's editor-in-chief Wu Zhala says.

"Parents hope their children can get fit and learn to respect animals and nature," Wu says.

Beijing has about 150 equestrian clubs with an average of 100 members younger than 18, Wu says.

The pastime has won new popularity in the past five years or so, says Zhang Xiao-xue, a senior riding coach with Huanglin Horsemanship in the Daxing district of Beijing.

The ranch now hosts about 200 members, who must make reservations before visits.

Ma Limei proudly shows a smartphone video of her 8-year-old son riding without assistance at another ranch in a northeastern Beijing suburb. He is clad in riding boots and a helmet as his horse trots along the track.