Xinmin city, in Liaoning province, will hold an international equestrian endurance championship along the city's picturesque Liuhe River on Aug 24 and 25, with over 100 participants from home and abroad and different breeds of horses.

The long-distance competition, such as 40- and 80- kilometer events, challenges the riders over their use of pace and knowledge of their horses' capabilities. The equestrian event has been approved by International Federation of Equestrian Sports, the international governing body of equestrian sports. Participants have to be 14 years old or older, and horses have to be at least six years old.

The judges and vets at the event are professionals from China and abroad.

The city government sees the event as an opportunity to promote its tourism resources. And it's part of its rural revitalization strategy, to combine tourism and sports.