Three female postgraduate students passed the oral defense of their thesis and became China’s first masters of equine studies in Wuhan Business University.

The university and Tianjin University of Sport cooperated to set up the degree program in 2011. The students completed the study of theoretical knowledge in Tianjin and came to Wuhan for field studies in September 2012.

The students learnt how to care for horses, from walking to bathing, stable management and how to manage finances in the industry.

Li Xiang, one of the students said, the course offered both a practical and theoretical approach.

Even before graduation, Ye Runfang was invited by Ningbo Malaysia to participate in the construction of a racecourse. Li opted for work in an equestrian club in Shanghai. Shi Jiahui has yet to decide where she will work.

Xia Yunjian，a professor at Wuhan Business University, said with the development of China’s horse racing industry more 300 equestrian clubs and racecourses were now registered.