
Members can apply to keep their own horses at the Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club; either fully trained horses or horses that are partially trained which the member would like the professional horse trainers at the club to develop further. However acceptance of a horse by the Club is dependent on our assessment of the quality and potential of an individual horse. Whereas a partially trained horse from a good blood-line may cost approximately RMB 50,000, a ‘world-class’ well proven horse may have a value of over RMB 2 million, such is the potential return on investment from skilled training of the ‘right’ horse. Whatever the level of your horse, the professional trainers at the club will ensure that you get the maximum performance and value from it. Suitably skilled horses may also be rented out to qualified riders for key competitions, thus providing an opportunity for income to the horse owner, indeed some horse owners may themselves not be riders, preferring instead to be involved only in ownership and investing in training and then leasing out or selling on their horses. The better the horse the higher the rental rates that may be charged, with rates sometimes exceeding RMB 8000 per day for a top horse.
To be keep it in good mental and physical condition a horse must be exercised daily in a large open space where its movement is unrestricted (however, it should not be over exercised!). It needs to be fed appropriately with the right calorific, fiber, water and mineral content and it must be stabled with good space, ventilation, shelter, drainage and turnover of appropriate bedding. This workload means that an experienced and well trained groom working full time can take care of a maximum of only 5 or 6 horses. In addition great care must be taken to shoe the horse correctly and to maintain the condition of the teeth and the coat. As each horse is different and correct shoeing is critical for the health and performance of a horse it takes 2-3 years to learn how to shoe confidently. The safety and performance of a horse are directly affected by the way that it is cared for and therefore the Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club has appointed MeadowBrook PL from Australia to manage and care for the horses at the Club.The team includes the Head Trainer, Stable Manager, Farrier, Dentist and Vet. The Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club also collaborates fully with the China Equestrian Association and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the highest standards of horse care.
The result of this expertise in horse care and stable management is that horses will perform to the maximum of their ability for a greater number of years and that the safety and enjoyment of the rider is maximized.Members and their guests visiting the stables are usually surprised and impressed by the standard of cleanliness of the facilities and the healthy and calm appearance of the horses relaxing there. Members whose horses are stabled and trained by the Club can rest assured they receive high level of skill and attention as the horses are given to the Club and that the member can be confident that the performance and safety of their horse will be maintained at the maximum possible.
