On October 10th, the highly anticipated 11th Longines Beijing International Masters Show Jumping Competition kicked off at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, and the first day of competition saw the crowning of three champions.
Since its inception in 2011, the Beijing International Masters has garnered strong support from the International Equestrian Federation, the Chinese Equestrian Association, and the National Stadium. This year’s event featured a more comprehensive and finely tuned selection of competitions, including events such as the 80CM U14 Star Race, team events, a 90CM Novice Race, a 105CM Open Competition, a 115CM Challenge, a 125CM Championship, a 135CM EuroHorse Elite Race, and the prestigious 150CM Longines Grand Prix.
The first competition day presented three different events. The opening 115CM Challenge featured 46 horse-rider pairs vying for the title. Sun Ruirui, riding “Big Blue,” was the 34th to compete and secured victory with a flawless round and a time of 57.41 seconds, holding onto the lead until the end. Zhang Ruoyao and “Red Swallow” clinched the second place, while Lu Mohan and “Mowu Juechen” from overseas took the third spot.
In the 125CM Team Event, seven teams and 21 combinations battled for supremacy. The Xiwa Equestrian Team, comprised of Zhao Jianting (riding “Fluorescence”), Shen Yiqi (with “Sunshine”), and Yang Yongqiang (mounted on “Happy Little Wine”), topped the standings with a total penalty score of 17 and a time of 223.22 seconds. The Holiland team finished second with 24 penalties and a time of 230.55 seconds, followed by Jinggeerji Horse Riding in third with a score of 33 penalties and a time of 251.26 seconds.
The final competition of the day—the 125CM Championship—began promptly at nightfall with all the lights at the Bird’s Nest glowing brilliantly. Twenty-nine horse-rider pairs competed in this exciting night event. Jiang Zhixiang from CKUR United Knight Alliance made a significant impression, competing third from last, and with a flawless round, he cleared the obstacles in an impressive 63.93 seconds, securing the top spot. Spanish rider Saul Portos and Xu Zhiwei took home second and third place respectively.
This marked Jiang Zhixiang’s fifth participation in the Bird’s Nest Masters. He praised the unique course design, noting that the innovative obstacles provided a fresh experience for riders. Regarding the strong competition, Jiang emphasized the importance of sticking to his plan. “When I looked at the course, I had already tailored my strategy. No matter how my competitors ride, I will stick to my own path and not let their pace pressure me into making mistakes,” he said.
