Chongqing-In this episode of Chongqing Faces Special Series My China, My Story, we focus on Female Entrepreneur: Duan Chengyan, who is lucky, growing up, could have been close to a horse (not everyone had such opportunities in those days in China), but not close enough because she "was so scared to touch them."   

Currently, Duan is the CEO of Chongqing's most historical English equestrian hall. Nevertheless, this equestrian club was established by her father and was not intended to be a serious business. Duan changed it to one of Chongqing's most professional equestrian halls. This journey was never easy. "I was scared of horses, even though my dad had two horses, I never wanted to ride them." She said.

The turning point occurred in 2009, when Duan went to university, majoring in Economics. Her father began to take her to the equestrian club frequently, which he didn't have time to manage, but she saw a vast equestrian market behind it. This is the first time she showed her talent for entrepreneurship.

At a very young age of 18, and with minimal experience, Duan quit university and headed to England to train as a Master of Equestrian Studies. She intended to return to China and take over her father's equestrian club with her newfound knowledge.

This opportunity allowed her to research the differences between the domestic and international equestrian markets, where she realized children are the future and where she built a deep connection with the horses.

She started to reach the equestrian business after returning to Chongqing. Soon, she realized the equestrian hall needed a major renovation and created a kind of revolution in Chongqing’s equestrian industry.

Initially, she had to overcome several challenges-including pushbacks from her employees. Her ideas were still too far ahead of their time in Chongqing. But she insisted on using the way British equestrian clubs operate to manage her club. Nonetheless, within a significantly short span of time, her determination and perseverance have paid off.

With fear and love, Duan Chengyan welcomes a new era for equestrianism. she is determined to bring European equestrian sports to Chongqing, to open an additional window for them. New stories are about to start in this city.