The longest and most challenging equestrian event in China will take place from May to June in Zhaosu county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

The longest and most challenging equestrian event in China will take place from May to June in Zhaosu county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The China Super Equestrian TREC Endurance on Silk Road International, jointly organized by the China Ethnic Sports Association (CESA) and the Zhaosu county government, will involve a professional category for a distance of 500 kilometers over seven days, and an amateur race spanning 220 km over three days.

Cheng Zhaoyi, the initiator of the event and a top-10 ranked Chinese endurance rider, said that the race is the third ultra-long-distance endurance race of its type in the world, following the 1,000 km Mongol Derby in Mongolia and the 1,300 km equestrian marathon in Kazakhstan.

It is also the first event of its kind to be held in China, Cheng added.

The competition will mainly feature domestically bred horses from China, especially from Xinjiang, and will employ satellite navigation to enhance orientation.

Wang Shenzhan, a Beijing rider who finished runner-up in the 2022 Mongol Derby, said that this ultra-long-distance, multi-day event will present a severe test of both the horses' and riders' physical strength and endurance.

They will both need to work in close collaboration to overcome extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain and snow, while also navigating challenging terrains including grassland, mountains, glaciers and deserts, she said.

Wang Xiang, secretary-general of the CESA, said that the Chinese people have long revered the qianlima, meaning the horse with exceptional ability that can run for 1000 li (500 km) a day.

The metaphor represents the highest praise in traditional Chinese culture for both horses and talented individuals.

The 500 km race distance aims to highlight and showcase the cultural spirit of perseverance and progress, deeply ingrained in Chinese heritage, he said.

The longest and most challenging equestrian event in China will take place from May to June in Zhaosu county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Break the monopoly

The event is not only a competition platform but also an important opportunity to explore the competitive advantages of domestic Chinese horses, said Wu Gangfang, head of CESA's Horse Culture and Sports Committee and head of the China Horse Culture, Sports and Tourism Institute.

Wu explained that Chinese domestic horses are renowned for their ability to withstand extreme cold and high altitudes. The event will design competition rules that cater to their specific characteristics, allowing them to fully showcase their strengths.

"We hope to explore ways to secure the future of domestic horses, allowing these strong and docile animals to gain broader market opportunities," Wu said.

"This will help break the monopoly of European and US breeding practices and enable more people to recognize the unique advantages of Chinese horses, promoting their integration into modern cultural and tourism sectors," he said.

Xilaili Yusufujiang, an official from Zhaosu, said that the county is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes, including the famous Tianshan Grand Canyon, but it is also known as the hometown of "heavenly horses".

The people of Zhaosu, Xinjiang, have bred breeds such as the Ili Horse, which has become a geographical indication product of Xinjiang and an important asset for sports tourism, he said.

Yusufujiang said Zhaosu welcomes everyone to visit and explore the region through the equine events.

"Horses, being the most accessible mode of transport, will carry riders and tourists into the stunning landscapes of Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains," he said.

The registration window for the event opened on Monday. More than 20 clubs have already made reservations, and participants are expected to include children, elderly individuals over 65, and some female riders.

Competitors from around the world can take part in the competition with their own horses, and Xinjiang horses will also be available for rent, Wu said.