This aerial photo taken on July 17, 2023, shows horses galloping at a wetland park in Zhaosu County, Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hao Zhao)
URUMQI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Dressed in the attire of a professional rider, Bayirtay stands on the expansive grasslands of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and watches his horse make gradual progress every day, with a smile gracing his sun-kissed face.
The horse is undergoing preparation for a competition at a performance testing and training center spanning 10 hectares in Zhaosu County, where the Mongolian rider was born and raised.
"There is a natural bond between me and the horses. When I could run, my grandfather put me on a horse's back, so it can be said that as long as I can run, I can ride a horse," said the 42-year-old Mongolian rider.
For years, Bayirtay has maintained a slim physique. "As I need to ride horses during my teaching sessions, I must steer clear of high-calorie foods," he said, adding that he sets high standards for himself and has cultivated a profound passion for coaching in the field of equestrian sports.
Over the past two decades, he has traveled to various cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, to receive training and guidance from both domestic and overseas coaches.
"I was once told that the pursuit of equestrian coaching is never-ending because every horse is unique, so it requires us to continuously learn and adapt," Bayirtay said.
His experience and hard work have propelled him to become a renowned coach in this field, and he harbors an unwavering commitment to building a career in his hometown.
Zhaosu stands as a key production hub for the Ili horse, known as Tianma, meaning "heavenly horse" in English. In recent years, the county has prioritized the upgrading of its horse industry through substantial investments in breed improvement, infrastructure development, and organizing equestrian events.
The horse-themed festival held each year in Zhaosu, for instance, can draw over 100,000 tourists and professionals from the horse industry.
In 2022, Zhaosu had a horse stock of 121,500, making it the county with the largest horse inventory in the country. In 2023, the output value of the horse industry is expected to reach 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).
The abundant natural resources and immense potential convinced Bayirtay to return to his hometown of Zhaosu in April this year, where he currently runs a riding club and a homestay.
Equestrian schools in Zhaosu are still in their infancy, so it's crucial to start with a solid foundation and enhance the teaching concepts, Bayirtay said.
"Nowadays, more and more people are developing a fondness for horses and are increasingly inclined to befriend animals. I also have plans to establish a horseback cross-country obstacle training center here to cultivate a deeper appreciation for this culture among more people," the horseback rider said. ■