Featured Image: ‘Gang-of-Five’ @ Great Wall

The group includes Terry Blake & Craig Young

Wherever we went we were constantly apprised of the fact that the ‘turbulent’ [‘tyrannical’] events of the 20^th. Century had all but obliterated the ancient horse culture in China which numbered as many as 700,000 horses involved in polo, racing and in circuses. They are acutely aware of the need to start again from ‘scratch’ and re-establish a viable equine industry in China. Since the early founding of the People’s Republic in China in 1952 over 1,100 stud horses were imported from the former Soviet Union to improve local ‘China breeds’. Arabians have also been introduced in significant numbers in Military establishments. Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang appear to be the best areas for horse breeding.

Two days in Nanjing followed our initial foray into Beijing. We were first met and entertained by Mr. Wu and his cohorts of the Nanjing Horse Racing Enterprise Co. Inc. This comprises a massive very busy construction project now underway closely emulating the facilities already provided in Beijing and Wuhan and probably approaching the total amount in expenditure. Mr. Wu was careful to point out that whereas the Beijing concept is essentially a private and local government arrangement the Nanjing project is a 60% private [Mr Wu] and 40% State [National] Government scheme with an option to ‘purchase’ the latter. The Nanjing facility will host the National Equestrian Festival in 2005. It is clear the visionary concept in China is for an all embracing equine/equestrian carnival including all disciplines of competition such as racing, show jumping, eventing, horse sports, trick riding and entertainment in general. Once more we were ‘subjected’ to yet another eclectic luncheon banquet arranged by our ever attentive and courteous hosts! For many including the author this began to produce spectacularly cathartic gastro-intestinal results! The evening concluded with a celebration of the ‘Moon Festival’ in downtown Nanjing and ample opportunity to indulge in ever more shopping! Even so it was hard to drag oneself away from the luxury of one’s accommodation at the Jinling Resort on the Baijia Lake.

The Beijing Sunshine Valley Equestrian Club hosted the 3^rd. Asian Equestrian Games in September 2003. It is located about 2 hours ‘army escorted drive’ in the high country to the north of the city and well above the ‘smog layer’! It is a most impressive facility in an exquisite location in the Days Inn Rose Valley at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall. The indoor riding arena is the largest in China and is a superb construction. On Monday 27^th. September 2004 the very first Polocrosse match ever played in China took place here with a demonstration by a scratch team of visitors and then an ‘International’ involving the bewitched and bemused locals! Days Inn Rose Valley is an International ski resort during winter months and the group availed itself of the opportunity to visit the Great Wall which is every bit as impressive as its proud publicity proclaims. The facility is also the home of the ‘Museum of Horse Culture in China’. Constructed by a consortium consisting of the Chinese Equestrian Association, Chinese Horse Industry Association, Chinese Cultural Relics Association and the Government of Yanqing the museum covers some 2700 square metres and houses more than 1300 exhibits. The exhibits are in six sections and embrace the rich historical horse culture of China stretching back c. 4000 years with modern updates including many Australian and NZ images located in the ‘England and America’ display! The museum is absolutely first class in every respect and is aimed at the flood of visitors confidently anticipated in 2008.

The Beijing Tongshun Jockey Club and Beijing Huanjan Breeding Farm are located on the periphery of Beijing and constitute the most significant and advanced thoroughbred racing and breeding complex yet constructed in modern China and still expanding. Anecdotal evidence suggests in excess of A$700 million has been allocated thus far. The facility is owned by the Domeland Consortium so prominent in Hong Kong and Australia. Over 3000 Australian thoroughbreds have been imported to date with new arrivals expected constantly. ‘Tierce [AUS]’ and ‘Bigstone [IRE]’ are two resident sires familiar to Australian interests. The very prominent advertising billboard adjacent to the main track proudly proclaims the local presence of Randwick Equine Centre. We were very fortunate to be entertained by expatriate equine veterinarian Dr. Michael Robinson as well as Director of Racing Kevin Connolly as the last race was run on Sunday 26^th. September 2004. Only modest crowds of some 2000 patrons are attracted to the races at this stage. Betting is officially ‘illegal’ but unofficially and pragmatically condoned with a system akin to ‘voting for a horse’. Racing also includes provision for ‘small children pony events’ based on the Jesuit principle of ‘catch them while they are young’! The facility also caters for the Chinese National Event Training Centre where the team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics is in preparation. The Beijing Tongshun Jockey Club is the only one of eight Jockey Clubs in China open for daily operations with eight events contested each Saturday and Sunday. As soon as lights are installed the Sunday meeting will be transferred to Wednesday evening similar to the successful format in Hong Kong. The first Forensic Racing Laboratory [‘Dope Testing’] was founded in Beijing in 2002. The first evening in Beijing included a most memorable perambulation through Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City dominated by the massive tribute to Chairman Mao.

Featured Image: Longtou Horse Farm

The Beijing Longtou Farm is a converted chicken raising facility of some 120 acres and owned by Japanese interests. The paddocks were enclosed by the ubiquitous brick walls/fences so prevalent in this part of northern China. The walls are far cheaper than post-and-rail fencing with the ready availability of abundant cheap labour and raw materials. Mr. Isamuishida informed us over 4 million bricks were used in construction of the fences which provide excellent wind shelter in winter. The farm stands three USA bred thoroughbred stallions in Thrill Show [USA], Golden Pheasant [USA] and Tight Spot [USA]. Mares located at Longtou Farm include the progeny of Roberto, Tony Bin, Conquistador Cielo, Soviet Star, Helissio, Jade Robbery, Ogygian, Arctic Tern and Groom Dancer. The project represents a confident investment by the Japanese Company in the future horse racing industry in China. The aim is to produce quality thoroughbreds for the local market at 1/10^th. the cost of production in Japan.

China Group Leaders

Featured Image: Helen Xie & James Sun

Our soigné, erudite and urbane host for the first part of the visit was Mr. James Sun who as Executive Director of the Project Planning Department of the Ministry of Agriculture was responsible for local arrangements in Beijing. James also ‘doubles’ as editor of the official mouthpiece of the Chinese Equestrian Association: ‘The Chinese Horse Industry Journal’. There are about 8000 horses and nearly 100 riding [equestrian] clubs in the vicinity of Beijing. Many elite riders have made Beijing their training base obviously with a close eye on incipient events in 2008.

Australian Stock Horse AUSTRADE Delegation to China 2004

Featured Image: A second hand or recycling shop in Canton.

It’s just possible the original translator English/Mandarin had either a warped sense of humour; or it was an exquisite interpretation.

Australian Stock Horse AUSTRADE Delegation to China 2004

Chinese Puzzles 2004

Featured Image: Chinese Supermarket 2004

Things are not always what they appear to be! This is a supermarket! But a ‘Time Sex Thing’?

First stop was Beijing via Guangzhou. Immediately we were apprised of cultural and language differences! Some of the Mandarin translation into English is exquisite! I ‘deciphered’ the following subtle warning on arrival in my hotel suite:

Notice to Electric Kettle

‘When you use the electric kettle, please pour water to the 2/3 of it, order to avoid the boiling water out to be dangerous’

Australian Stock Horse AUSTRADE Delegation to China 2004

Marco Polo Peripatetic Peregrinations 2004 Style

An intrepid ‘cavalry cluster’ delegation representing the Australian Stock Horse Society Ltd. set off on a 12 day ‘whirlwind’ tour of modern China on 25^th. September 2004.

Featured Image: ASHS group on departure

The group includes:

Don Champagne (tour organiser), Peter White, Brian Atfield, Bill Howey, Craig Young, Duncan Macintyre, Terry Blake, Ray Hynes

Steve Guihot (ASHS GM), Mrs Young, Helen Xie, Judy Hynes, Jill Macintyre, Mike Thew

Polocrosse comes to China 2004

Featured Image: ASHS Director Terry Blake introduces the Australian Sport of Polocrosse at the splendid indoor arena at the Beijing Sunshine Valley Equestrian Club

The Beijing Sunshine Valley Equestrian Club hosted the 3^rd. Asian Equestrian Games in September 2003. It is located about 2 hours ‘army escorted drive’ in the high country to the north of the city and well above the ‘smog layer’! It is a most impressive facility in an exquisite location in the Days Inn Rose Valley at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall. The indoor riding arena is the largest in China and is a superb construction. On Monday 27^th. September 2004 the very first Polocrosse match ever played in China took place here with a demonstration by a scratch team of visitors and then an ‘International’ involving the bewitched and bemused locals! Terry was most impressed that the latter, local Chinese talent probably from the northern Province of Inner Mongolia, were extremely quick learners and acquitted themselves very well indeed! Note the type and stature of their mounts.

Days Inn Rose Valley is an international ski resort during winter months and the group availed itself of the opportunity to visit the Great Wall which is every bit as impressive as its proud publicity proclaims. The facility is also the home of the ‘Museum of Horse Culture in China’. Constructed by a consortium consisting of the Chinese Equestrian Association, Chinese Horse Industry Association, Chinese Cultural Relics Association and the Government of Yanqing the museum covers some 2700 square metres and houses more than 1300 exhibits. The exhibits are in six sections and embrace the rich historical horse culture of China stretching back c. 4000 years with modern updates including many Australian and NZ images located in the ‘England and America’ display! The museum is absolutely first class in every respect and is aimed at the flood of visitors confidently anticipated in 2008.