China competed in equestrian sports for the first time at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. China's modern equine business has developed significantly over the past decade, and the lessons from the expansion between 2015 and 2020 are important considerations as China implements further legislation to aid in the development of its modern equestrian sports. Equestrian sports can propel the Chinese horse industry forward, and the horse industry is a unique business in that it integrates one, two, and three industries, with much growth potential. This paper assesses the development of equestrianism in China from four perspectives: the general sports economic environment; the development of equestrian activities; the economic industries driven by equestrian activities; and relevant equestrian policies. Equestrian sports within China are currently facing problems, and recommendations are given. This paper is a single case study. The research utilized a qualitative approach, collecting data from official and semi-official documents. Through understanding the data collated and its analysis, equestrian sports can improve the speed and quality of their development under the influence of better-informed policy-making and a relevant economic model. It is expected that the wider related horse industry in China will also undergo more significant development.
Keywords: China; equestrian; horse activities; sport policies.