Yu Chenghao on Pressure, Horse Management and China’s Future in Show Jumping at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai

During the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai, HSJ.TV spoke with Yu Chenghao, one of the emerging names in Chinese international show jumping. Competing on home ground against many of the world’s top riders, Yu shared his thoughts on pressure, horse welfare, jump-off decisions, and what it takes to stay competitive in modern equestrian sport.

As Chinese show jumping continues to gain international attention, riders like Yu Chenghao represent a growing generation bringing China onto the global stage. His approach stands out for one reason: he places the horse at the center of every decision.

For Yu Chenghao, pressure in top sport is not something to avoid. The Chinese rider sees major competitions as a source of energy.

He explains that pressure increases his concentration. In a five-star environment like Shanghai, with packed stands and world-class competitors, he believes the best riders are those who can control emotion and direct it into performance. That ability becomes especially important in speed classes and jump-offs, where decisions happen in seconds.

According to Yu, the most decisive moments in show jumping often come after the final fence of the first round, when riders return against the clock. In those situations, every turn becomes a test of instinct.

He says that when entering a tight turn during a jump-off, there is no time for doubt. Riders must choose their line instantly. A fraction of hesitation changes the distance and can cost the result. That fast judgment, he says, only comes through experience and trust with the horse.

When discussing success in international show jumping, Yu is clear that results depend on more than one talented horse. Building a strong string is essential. Riders need multiple horses suited to different classes, but they also need years of mileage to make the right decisions in the ring.

His preparation before a major event reflects that philosophy. Rather than increasing intensity, Yu focuses on keeping his horses calm.

Before important competitions, he avoids overloading them physically or mentally. He believes horses perform best when they arrive fresh, confident, and relaxed. The goal is not to create pressure in training, but to allow them to enter competition in the best possible condition.

That belief extends to daily management. Yu emphasizes that one of the hardest aspects of show jumping is that competition cannot be fully recreated at home. Every arena, course designer, crowd, and atmosphere changes how a horse responds.

Because of that, he adapts to each individual horse rather than forcing a single routine. He values natural habits, allowing horses time outside, opportunities to graze, and interaction with other horses. He sees these routines as important for maintaining balance over a long season.

For Yu Chenghao, staying competitive in equestrian sport over many years is one of the hardest achievements in any discipline. Riders change horses, circumstances shift, and no two partnerships are the same.

His belief is that long-term success comes from understanding each horse as an individual. A rider must recognize strengths, limits, and preferences, then shape training around those traits. Only then can the full ability of the horse-and-rider partnership come through in the arena.

As China’s equestrian sport continues to grow, Yu Chenghao is part of a new wave of riders gaining international mileage while competing on home soil. His perspective shows a shift in modern Chinese show jumping: stronger international exposure, more technical preparation, and a greater emphasis on horse-centered training.

At the LGCT Shanghai, Yu Chenghao made one thing clear. Behind every result, the real work begins long before the start bell, and always with the horse first.

© Rights Reserved.