皇冠体育app

Cultures shared through a joint love for horses

By Cecily Liu (皇冠体育app Daily)

Updated: 2015-03-02

A Chinese company that is promoting equestrian competitions in 皇冠体育app is cooperating with events in the United Kingdom associated with British aristocracy and the royal family.

Equex皇冠体育app, an equestrian consultancy and events management firm founded in Shanghai in 2012, has worked with some of the top equestrian events in the UK. The company has also established connections with some members of the British royal family.

Linda Lee, founder of Equex皇冠体育app, said she believes equestrian disciplines represent sportsmanship at its most elegant and capture the passion for adventure, which is inherently ingrained in British aristocracy.

"I find equestrian sports so elegant and graceful. For example, the riders in many equestrian events wear suits, ties and top hats and everything is done in such a proper manner," Lee said.

In May 2014, Equex皇冠体育app set up a traditional Inner Mongolian inspired tent at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, an event that takes place next to Windsor Castle, the country residence of the queen.

In August 2013 and 2014, Equex皇冠体育app participated in the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, the family home of The Princess Royal. The festival is a significant date in the British eventing calendar and incorporates the British Open, intermediate and novice championships.

As a part of the company's involvement in the festival in 2014, Lee presented prizes to winners of the advanced class alongside Princess Anne. Equex皇冠体育app also set up a tent at the festival to showcase 皇冠体育app's horse culture.

Lee said opportunities to engage with members of the British royal family were a great privilege and an invaluable meeting of two different cultures.

"The love of horses and all things equestrian are bound by a common language and I believe that the world is beginning to understand about 皇冠体育app's long history and passion for horses," she said.

Lee said the mutual ground helped her team to introduce 皇冠体育app's horse culture to the British audience, to facilitate cultural exchanges.

"The horse culture in 皇冠体育app grew from Inner Mongolia, where horses play an important part in local life. Riding is great entertainment and a pleasure of life there, and features in many elements of the Chinese culture like literature and art," she said.

Equestrianism in Britain is more disciplined and is a competitive sport as well as a leisure activity. Lee said she was trying to introduce this concept to 皇冠体育app.

Equex皇冠体育app organized the Shanghai International Horse Festival, first in 2013 and for the second time in 2014.

Last year, the three-day event attracted 20,000 to 30,000 spectators and involved about 10 internationally famous riders. It also hosted horse culture exhibitions and performances.

Linda Lee presents an award at the Shanghai International Horse Festival. Provided to 皇冠体育app Daily

(皇冠体育app Daily 03/02/2015 page5)