By sportswriter Wang Zijiang
LONDON, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Dutch HRH Princess Margarita Maria Beatriz of Bourbon-Parma believes that horse riding can provide a great opportunity to boost sports exchanges between China and Holland.
Princess Margarita, the eldest daughter of former Dutch monarch Queen Beatrix's sister, Princess Irene, is on the board of Jumping Amsterdam, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary by hosting the FEI World Cup jumping at the RAI Amsterdam last Sunday.
"Riding is in our blood," she told Xinhua. "Horses are very important for the Netherlands. It is a very old tradition."
The Dutch royals, including King Willem-Alexander and his eldest daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia were all horse lovers and cheered on showjumpers at the competition. Beatrix, 80, had visited the dressage competition one day earlier, accompanied by Princess Margarita.
Dutch equestrian athletes have been very successful on the international stage. They finished second in the medal table in last year's World Equestrian Games with five golds, three silvers and two bronze, and they also won the title of the Nations Cup finals in 2017.
The 46-year-old princess was proud of Dutch horses as well as their riders. "Our horses are very important export products," she said. "We are one of the most important exporters for horses in the world. Our horses are very well-known in the world."
The Dutch horse market is uniquely suited to meet China's current needs. Since the 2008 Olympic Games, the Chinese horse market has grown exponentially around the big cities, and the number of horse clubs has increased to more than 500 from almost nothing. Because local breeds are too small for adult riding, Chinese horse centers have imported the world's best horses of each discipline.
"I think that will be a very good idea to boost sports exchanges through horses exports," she said. "Any sport is good but horse riding might be even better."
Princess Margarita, who started to ride at age 5, now has her own high end jewelry design brand that includes earrings bracelets and necklaces.
"I studied interior decoration and architecture a long time ago. I have long had a fondness for technology and how things are made. So I went on to produce things by myself. I want to produce things I like."
She said some of her design ideas were inspired by riding.
"During my riding, I always see a lot of beautiful things. I take photographs sometimes, so I can use them in my designs."
Her brand is mainly focused on European countries and regions, but she also hopes that in the near future, it will be available on the huge Chinese market.
Margarita's cousin, King Willem-Alexander, has won some popularity among the Chinese people because of his approachable manner during his two visits since he ascended the throne in April 2013, following the abdication of his mother Queen Beatrix. Princess Caharina-Amalia, the first heir to the throne, has been learning Chinese since 2016.
"I do like to travel to China," she said. "I think China is one of the oldest cultures in the world. We know the stirrup was invented in China. Without it, we could not ride or stay on a horse."
With the Chinese new year falling next Tuesday, the princess said the country "welcome the Chinese people to visit Amsterdam and Holland" in the Chinese new year and "We also welcome Chinese riders to come and compete at Jumping Amsterdam next year."
Princess Margarita was born in 1972, a Year of the Mouse. Chinese culture considers this year to signify a hardworking nature.
"I am always hard working. I didn't know why. Now I know it was the mouse that made it so," the princess said with a smile.
