Ambitious plans for growth of riding clubs
Published: 15 Oct. 2009, 21:37
Korea’s equestrian population will jump to 2.4 million within the next three years, claims the Korea Racing Authority, the state-funded promoter of the riding industry.
The KRA made the claim yesterday during a press conference announcing a set of measures to beef up the infrastructure for riding in Korea. The KRA is the exclusive operator of the country’s horse racing businesses.
According to the KRA, 900,000 people ride every year, of whom 20,000 do so on a regular basis. The KRA said it wants to see the figures rise to 2.4 million and 50,000, respectively, by 2012.
“We will make horse riding the most popular leisure industry in Korea over golf,” the KRA said in a statement. That goal will be realized, the KRA said, by setting up more horse riding clubs and providing more horses.
The local horse riding industry is small compared to other countries. There are around 1.7 million regular riders in Germany and around 7,600 clubs.
Korea only has around 200 clubs. The KRA said it plans to build 300 more clubs by 2012 and hopes to ease the rule that says the size of an outdoor horse riding club needs to be at least 3,000 square meters (32,292 square feet). The KRA believes 1,500 square meters would be sufficient.
The measures would also include increasing the number of horses. Currently, there are around 5,000 suitable horses and the KRA said it will make 50 old racehorses available and invest more in breeding, it said.
A total of 269.4 billion won ($232.7 million) will be earmarked for the whole horse riding promotion project, the KRA said.
“Horse riding is good for human health and is very much an environment-friendly industry,” said Chu Wan-ho, manager of riding promotion team at KRA. “It also could be a new source of profit for local farmers.”
By Moon Gwang-lip [[email protected]]
The KRA made the claim yesterday during a press conference announcing a set of measures to beef up the infrastructure for riding in Korea. The KRA is the exclusive operator of the country’s horse racing businesses.
According to the KRA, 900,000 people ride every year, of whom 20,000 do so on a regular basis. The KRA said it wants to see the figures rise to 2.4 million and 50,000, respectively, by 2012.
“We will make horse riding the most popular leisure industry in Korea over golf,” the KRA said in a statement. That goal will be realized, the KRA said, by setting up more horse riding clubs and providing more horses.
The local horse riding industry is small compared to other countries. There are around 1.7 million regular riders in Germany and around 7,600 clubs.
Korea only has around 200 clubs. The KRA said it plans to build 300 more clubs by 2012 and hopes to ease the rule that says the size of an outdoor horse riding club needs to be at least 3,000 square meters (32,292 square feet). The KRA believes 1,500 square meters would be sufficient.
The measures would also include increasing the number of horses. Currently, there are around 5,000 suitable horses and the KRA said it will make 50 old racehorses available and invest more in breeding, it said.
A total of 269.4 billion won ($232.7 million) will be earmarked for the whole horse riding promotion project, the KRA said.
“Horse riding is good for human health and is very much an environment-friendly industry,” said Chu Wan-ho, manager of riding promotion team at KRA. “It also could be a new source of profit for local farmers.”
By Moon Gwang-lip [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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