New equestrian center design unveiled
How the new Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Center will look in the Expo Park when it is complete.
The design of the Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Center has been unveiled at the Sino-Europe Equine Industry Exchange Seminar ahead of the Global Champions Tour Shanghai leg.
The center, at the south part of the Expo Park in the Pudong New Area, will become China's first permanent professional equestrian competition venue. It will replace a temporary one beside China Art Museum to stage the GTC showjumping event in future.
Design company Arcplus said the center will have a total area of 3.32 hectares with a 90m-by-60m meter competition arena and 5,000 seats for spectators.
"We picked the final design out of 20 candidates," said Shen Di, the company's vice general manager. "The venue has a streamlined appearance, and will be in line with the surrounding environment at the Expo Park. Lupu Bridge and the Shanghai Grand Opera House (to be built this year) will become part of the venue's background view."
Shen said the stables, horse walking area and warm-up zone on the ground floor were designed with a ventilation system to ensure convenience and animal comfort.
GCT sport director Marco Danese told Shanghai Daily: "To have a permanent venue is an important step in our goal of making GCT a permanent event for Shanghai.
"When the event first came to Shanghai six years ago, China didn't seem to be that interested in the sport. Now the new venue shows a big change in attitude, and we hope to help grow not only the sport, but the equestrian industry in China, too."
Construction of the center will begin later this year. Meanwhile, this year's GCT Shanghai leg will still be held in front of China Art Museum from May 3 to 5, with 50 world-class riders and 90 horses taking part.
