Xinjiang's deep horse-riding history

With a rich history of horse breeding and deep-rooted equestrian culture, Altay city in the northern Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has become the first in China to incorporate equestrianism into the physical education curriculum of primary and secondary schools.

Since the initiative was made in 2019, a total of 26,000 students have participated in the distinctive sports program, which enhanced the physical fitness of young people while promoting the local horse industry and tourism.

In the past two months during the summer vacation, the equestrian education base of Altay Horse Industry Development Corporation has seen 850 young children training in horseback riding at its racetrack, said the manager, Astar Bahathan.

Through the training, students gained a basic understanding of horse breeds, horse behavior and equestrian equipment. Astar said they learned proper riding postures before practicing mounting, dismounting, and riding.

"Usually, it takes young beginners four hours to control the horse and 10 courses to get the horse to run," he said.

Astar said that a boy from Shanghai spent 15 days training at the company's racetrack in June and obtained a certificate as a horse rider after returning to his home city and taking an exam.

Many of the equestrian coaches at the education base graduated from horse-related majors at vocational schools in Xinjiang.

Jadra Adlbyek has been teaching children aged 8 or older horse riding at the racetrack since she graduated from Karamay Vocational and Technical College in June.

"Some children taught equestrian to foster a hobby or to treat depression," the junior coach said, adding that she taught private classes for eight hours every day.

With three horses bred in the family, Jadra said both of her father and younger brother are horse riders and work in the industry. The household can earn 7,000 yuan ($987) a month through horse racing, training, and coaching, she said.

Over 30 students from the Hutubi county vocational and technical school, along with other riders, were undergoing equestrian training at the company's racetrack on a day in late August.

As the first equestrian education base in Xinjiang to integrate the horse industry and education, the company has collaborated with educational institutions to train relevant talent, including riders, stable managers, coaches, and judges.