The 2019 China Xinmin International Equestrian Endurance Race was grandly held

The 2019 China Xinmin International Equestrian Endurance Race was held on August 25 by the beautiful Liuhe River in Xinmin City, Liaoning Province. The event was organized by the Chinese Equestrian Association, hosted by the People's Government of Xinmin City, and approved by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Nearly 100 horse-rider pairs from both China and abroad, along with nearly 10,000 equestrian enthusiasts, participated. The race featured an FEI* (one-star) endurance race as well as FEI 40km and 80km qualifier events. This one-star endurance race was the first of its kind to be held in Xinmin City, Liaoning, and also marked the highest-level international equestrian endurance competition in the Northeast region to date. The FEI* one-star race was divided into three segments, with 40-minute rest periods after the first and second segments. Horses were required to have a heart rate below 64 beats per minute within 20 minutes of vet checks, and maintain a minimum speed of 12 km/h. After fierce competition, Chinese riders Fu Dayong and Yu Hong? claimed the championship and runner-up titles respectively, while Dubai’s Eissa Mohd Humaid AL OUBAISI secured third place.

It is understood that this event was of high caliber and international significance, with over 100 athletes from China, Dubai, Thailand, Japan, and other countries, as well as nearly 10,000 equestrian fans in attendance. In accordance with FEI competition regulations, all riders and horses participating in the one-star category must have completed endurance qualification standards before being eligible to register. Riders must be at least 14 years old, and horses at least 6 years old. The competing horses mainly included Arabian horses, Anglo horses, Budyonny horses, improved domestic breeds, and Sanhe horses. To ensure fairness and impartiality, the judging and veterinary teams came from China, Malaysia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and other countries. Foreign judges and veterinarians were appointed by the FEI, while the Chinese judging and veterinary teams consisted of registered professionals from the Chinese Equestrian Association.

This equestrian endurance race was held by the Liuhe River in Xinmin, featuring a uniquely excellent course that ranks among the best in China. The Liuhe River track is spacious, flat, and of suitable width; its sandy soil offers the right firmness, free of stones, allowing horses to run with less effort and reduced risk of injury—ideal for their protection and optimal performance in endurance racing. Lush grass and shaded trees line parts of the track, while elsewhere offer wide-open views and rolling green landscapes. The air is fresh and clean, and the ecological environment is pristine. Riding on such a track is a visual delight, helping competitors perform at their best and achieve outstanding results.

Riders set off from the Liuhe Racecourse at 8:30 AM, first crossing the Liuhe embankment and entering the wide, soft, and well-suited river beach. Throughout the ride, they alternated between accelerating and maintaining steady paces. Riders had to ford the Liuhe River multiple times on horseback, posing a significant challenge for both horse and rider.

It is understood that Xinmin City has thoroughly implemented rural revitalizationstrategy, advancing industrial revitalization, talent revitalization, cultural revitalization, ecological revitalization, and organizational revitalization in parallel. The city is promoting its tourism and sports brand, attracting visitors and businesses, and welcoming guests from all directions with its beautiful ecological environment and rich cultural spirit. This effort aims to drive rapid development in sports culture and tourism centered around horses. At the same time, the event serves as an opportunity to showcase Xinmin's international image to the nation and the world, to inherit and promote distinctive horse culture, and to organically integrate horse breeding, training, racing, and horse-themed cultural tourism. These initiatives effectively support the healthy and rapid growth of Xinmin’s cultural tourism industry.