BEIJING - Equestrian sports conjure up images of elegant horses and handsome riders.

However, for Huang Zuping, it's more about responsibility and persistence.

Huang, who represented China at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Hong Kong, downplayed the sport's aesthetic appeal and stressed hard work was the key to success.

"I've trained in Germany for eight years on my own. I know how hard it is to bear the homesickness and loneliness. But, if you want to succeed, you have to put up with it," said Huang after claiming the Federation of Equestrian International (FEI) World Cup China League title in Beijing over the weekend.

"To take care of my horses, I pay great attention to detail. I check every horseshoe carefully and work in the stable until midnight.

"We should not only cheer the sport's exciting part, but also see the tough side. It's more about taking care of living beings kindly and responsibly," Huang said. With the champion's ranking points, Huang has also qualified for the final stage of the World Cup next year. The 47-year-old will be the first Chinese to take part in the prestigious event.

"I am thrilled to have the chance to compete at the World Cup finals as the first Chinese rider. It shows how our country has improved in the event," said Huang.

A former government official and then an executive in at a state-owned company, Huang had little to do with the sport until he saddled up at a horse club in Beijing in 1995.

After deciding to try out for the 2008 Olympics, Huang went to Germany, a world center for equestrian sports, with his own money in 2002.

According to the German Equestrian Association, there are 300,000 professionals in the industry there and their total investment reaches about $7.26 billion annually.

Huang's eight years of toil abroad paid dividends when he qualified for the Beijing Games and then demonstrated his country's potential in the sport.

"I am so happy to see this kind of top-flight event (China League) being staged in my country. The world-class venues and cheering spectators here really remind me of the same scene in Europe," said Huang.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/20/2011 page23)