Horses have played an inseparable role in the history of Mongolians and their culture, and the autonomous region is determined to ensure horses continue to play a big part in the regional economy and culture. 

In recent weeks, Inner Mongolia has started to offer horse riding lessons to students, as part of efforts to offer a diverse curriculum for all-round development. 

Elementary schools in Hohhot have organized horse riding lessons and activities for local pupils, with the purpose of letting children experience the charms of equestrianism and to stimulate interest in the sport.

The program aims to improve the physical fitness of the participants and keep alive aspects of traditional Mongolian culture.

The region has excelled in equestrian sports over the past few years, including horse racing, polo, show jumping, and dressage. Riders from Inner Mongolia have won hundreds of medals and titles at home and abroad over the past years. 

Over 100 professional horse competitions are organized in Inner Mongolia each year, with thousands of jockeys and racehorses taking part. 

Yet the region’s traditions are not enough. Equestrian sports in Inner Mongolia face new challenges from other areas of China and abroad. 

Around 40 percent of Chinese riders in national equestrian competitions are from Inner Mongolia. While this is clearly an indication of the region’s equestrian strengths, the slow exodus of equestrian talent is having an impact on equestrianism within its traditional heartland.

The sports industry is vital to the region’s economy, and it is estimated that it will account for 1 percent of the region’s GDP by 2020. 

The bright future prospects of the equestrian industry will create real economic benefits, with 3,000 new positions expected to be created in the sectors of equestrian training and equipment manufacturing thanks to the program.

Pupils ride horses under the instruction of professional jockeys at a local equestrian training center in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on June 21. [Photo/Xinhua]