Feature: Veteran equestrian champion shares wisdom with Chinese riders

YINCHUAN, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- In an outdoor show jumping arena, Philippe Le Jeune guides Chinese riders and their horses to jump over a series of obstacles.

Visiting China for the first time, the 64-year-old Belgian equestrian coach said, "I was very surprised to have such nice accommodation here. It's very professional and nice to work. The riders are also very talented."

During his two-week stay, Le Jeune is tasked with helping the team from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in China's northwest, hone their skills in preparation for the country's 15th National Games this November.

The training base Le Jeune has been working at is located in a village near the Yellow River in Yinchuan, Ningxia's capital. It was established in 2023, the same year the Ningxia equestrian team was founded.

With 50 years' experience in equestrianism, Le Jeune has had much success in five-star competitions and became world champion in 2010 with his beloved horse Vigo.

Surprised at the development of the sport in China, the veteran Belgian says his work is "really positive". "What the young men lack is experience in international competitions, and they also need to understand there is no bad horse but [only a] horse badly ridden," he said.

"Philippe is really experienced and patient. I have learned a lot from him, especially the connection with my horse," said 30-year-old Jiang Zhixiang, a two-time silver medalist at China's National Equestrian Jumping Championship.

In Le Jeune's eyes, young horses need to be treated with great patience. "The horses are unbelievable, gentle and very strong animals. The animal himself doesn't know his strength, but he's very honest and very brave. He always normally does what the rider has asked," said the Belgian.

Hailing from a poor family, Le Jeune's passion for horses began when he first saw a pony at age seven. "When I said I was in love with ponies when I was 12, my parents couldn't afford to support me," he recalled.

When discussing future dreams and ambitions in the school classroom, Le Jeune's answer was very different from those of his classmates, who favored becoming electricians or engineers.

"I want to live with horses," he said.

"Are you crazy? Living with horses won't bring you any money!" Despite his teacher's response, Le Jeune determinedly stuck to his childhood dream.

Le Jeune left school at 15 and got a job cleaning the stables and horses at an equestrian training base. "The nights were long time, but I don't regret anything. I had a fantastic life, a very hard life, but a very good life," he smiled.

In recent years, he has been traveling the world training inexperienced riders and young horses. "Every day in the morning, I get up with a smile like this, because I'm going to ride a horse, because it's my life."

"I think in the world there are a lot of people who don't love their work, but they have to, because they must earn money for the family," he said, "but I live for my passion." ■