In early May, Li Zhenqiang gained entries to the Olympics with excellent performances in jumping events held in Belgium and Germany. Li performed remarkably well in a five-star jumping competition by jumping over barriers of 1.6 m high.

Li has come a long way from being a farmer to being a jockey. Born in 1968 in a village in the city of Dongguan, Li started off being a farmer. In the wake of economic development in the village, he joined the engineering industry as a merchant.

He came across riding purely by chance as he only discovered the joy of riding when he rode with his business friends when he was almost 30 in 1994.

It was then he found a connection with horses. Two years later, he made a bold decision to form a riding club that provided training in jumping events. He was eager to become a professional rider.

Equestrian training is very tough and often leaves the rider injured.

For Li, he has also to endure the hardship of being alone.

Over the years, China has not had any representatives in a five-star jumping event.

Li never thought he could make it. But in the end, he passed through 13 qualifying competitions in Belgium that bring him to the summit of his riding career and a place in the national team for the Olympics equestrian events in Hong Kong.