Argentinian horses gallop in Chongqing to help the inheritance and development of Chinese polo culture

From the Pampas of Argentina to the scenic highlands of Chongqing, China, nearly a hundred thoroughbreds have made their debut flight, crossing oceans to become the prized mounts for polo players at the Xian Ni Mountain Polo Club. These majestic horses, essential to the sport of polo, have found a new home in the grasslands of Chongqing.

During a recent visit to a stable in Wulong District of Chongqing, I had the opportunity to meet these remarkable horses that have traveled all the way from Argentina. Selected at the end of 2023, they have new owners—enthusiastic Chinese polo players who have given them names inspired by Chinese history and folklore, such as “Di Lu,” “Dao Li,” “Zhao Ye Yu Shi,” and “Yu Feng.”

“Polo is quite well-known internationally, and China also has a rich polo culture,” said Luo Bin, the founder of the Xian Ni Mountain Polo Club. Her desire to contribute to the preservation and development of China’s polo culture was a key motivator behind her journey to create this club.

Historically, polo in China, referred to as “Ji Ju” or “Zou Ma Ji Qiu,” has deep roots. From the Han to the Tang and Song dynasties, poems depicted the sport, like Cao Zhi’s “With grace they hit the ball upon the ground, deftly crafted in every turn,” and Han Yu’s “With a turn of the shoulder, the whip strikes the horse’s belly, a crackling sound as the precious ball speeds away,” reflecting the practice of polo during those times.

Today, polo continues to captivate audiences, with international tournaments occurring in cities like Tianjin, Beijing, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia in recent years.

The horses undergo extensive professional training to ensure their safety, obedience, and readiness for the polo field. “We import well-trained polo horses,” Luo noted. The club also has teams from abroad responsible for the horses’ training and care; the horses are fed and exercised at set times throughout the day to maintain their energy and nutrition for intensive training and competition.

The Wulong Xian Ni Mountain area, known for its cool climate, is ideal for these horses. It offers convenient transportation options, including an airport and rail access, making it easier for tournaments to be hosted here. Since their arrival in Chongqing in June 2024, several polo matches have already taken place, attracting international players from countries like Canada, the UK, Argentina, and Switzerland.

As I stepped into the stable, the polo ponies curiously turned their heads to greet me, seemingly welcoming my presence. Outside, under the blue sky and white clouds, the polo matches unfold on sandy and grassy fields, where players and their mounts elegantly dance across the pitch, kicking up a swirl of dust as they compete with seamless teamwork.

The allure of polo extends beyond the field. “I’m just an ordinary woman among the crowd,” Luo shared. “Polo has made me more confident, brave, and resilient.”

Wang Jingchan, a co-founder of the polo club and one of the authors of “China Polo,” echoed similar sentiments. The club enjoys the support of local officials, with plans to elevate the sport into a renowned global business model. Wulong District’s representatives have expressed commitment to making polo a standout highlight of the sporting industry, aspiring to establish it as a “golden business card” recognized worldwide.