“One Heart, Horse and People” is a public welfare initiative co-founded by the Shanghai Sports Development Foundation and China’s first Olympic equestrian event rider, Alex Hua Tian. Since joining in 2021, we have been committed to promoting equestrian sports and culture among the public, especially young people, to support their growth.
The project has launched programs such as “Pre-school for the Language of Horse,” offering equestrian science popularization classes in primary and secondary schools. To help more people understand the world beyond horseback riding, we introduced the “Stable Management Competition,” which I vigorously promoted, leading young riders from our club to actively participate. The public service announcement we filmed was broadcast in high-traffic areas across Shanghai, including subways and buses, aiming to show that equestrianism is not just about riding skills but also about the harmony and partnership between horse and rider.
The science education video series “Hua Tian Is Coming” has surpassed 40 million views. Comprising nearly 80 episodes across three seasons, it focuses on themes such as horse health and equestrian knowledge. The instructional videos have not only been included in the Chinese Equestrian Association’s training program but have also received widespread recognition from organizations such as the International Equestrian Federation and the Chinese Equestrian Association. In the episode “OG and Xiaobai,”(Original Gangster and Novice riders) which I participated in, three equestrian experts guided their friends and family, who had never been to a stable, through a stable tour, patiently explaining, demonstrating, and empowering them, showcasing the professionalism and compassion of equestrian practitioners.
The annual Rider Carnival Games are another highlight of the initiative. Together with Alex Hua Tian, I led participants through a series of engaging games such as balance obstacle courses, blindfolded equipment identification, and crazy horse language guessing, planting seeds of passion in young riders. By building bond with horses through physical cues and emotional awareness, children transition from being “care-receivers” to “caregivers,” learning to appreciate and understand the interdependent relationships in life.
Over the past four years, “One Heart, Horse and People” has filled a gap in public welfare initiatives for modern equestrian sports in China, helping to transform equestrian culture from a competitive sport into a popular activity. It conveys the culture and spirit behind equestrian sports to more young people, teaching them not only how to correctly understand and approach competition but also the values of collaboration, respect, and inclusivity.
