At just 23 years old, Canadian showjumper Jonathan Ding is already a familiar name on the international stage. With nearly 50 victories—many in the competitive youngster tours—he’s a rider who combines talent with a relentless drive for progress. Though born in Belgium and raised in China, Ding now calls Belgium home, using it as a launchpad for his European and international campaigns. With a sharp eye for quality, a passion for innovation, and mentorship from some of the sport’s greats, Jonathan Ding is building not just a career, but a legacy.
from Beijing to Belgium: A Global Equestrian Journey
Born in Antwerp to a Canadian father and Chinese mother, Jonathan Ding’s start in life was anything but conventional. “My parents weren’t horse people at all,” he shares. “But they gave me every opportunity.” When the family relocated to China at the age of four and a half, Jonathan was introduced to riding in Beijing and the rest is history. “I don’t remember much of my early years in Belgium, but I’ll never forget the first time I sat on a horse. I was hooked.”
It was at a Longines event in Beijing that a teenage Jonathan met British Olympic gold medalist Scott Brash. The encounter would shape his future. “At 15, I took a leap of faith and moved to the UK to train with Scott. I finished my last three years of school remotely while living and working at his yard.” That experience, Ding says, gave him a professional foundation and a mindset he still carries today.
Developing Young Horses and His Own Path
Today, Jonathan is focused on developing talented young horses for the top levels of showjumping. “I currently have around 10 horses in training. My focus is long-term development, not quick wins,” he explains. With his base in Belgium and frequent stints at international tours in Oliva, he has established himself as a respected horseman.
Despite his multicultural background, Ding admits promoting equestrian sport in China while managing his own European-based career is a major challenge. “The sport in China is growing at lightning speed, and it’s a market worth watching. But my focus now is here in Europe.”
Learning from Legends: From Brash to Kumps
After several formative years with Brash, Ding chose to carve out his own path. That journey led him to Jos Kumps, a renowned Belgian trainer. “It’s not a full-time setup like with Scott,” he says, “but I work with Jos nearly every week. Even the smallest insights from him make a difference. He has an incredible eye for detail.”
A move to the stables of Israeli rider Kai Zeevi also sparked a new chapter in Ding’s career. “That move changed everything. It led to my partnership with Jos, not just as a trainer, but as a business partner and friend. We now co-invest in horses and work closely on their training and sales.”
Quality Over Quantity: A Philosophy Forged in Experience
One principle Ding holds sacred is that quality will always trump quantity. “That’s one of the biggest lessons I learned from Scott,” he says. “True professionals in this sport know how to spot potential—not just in numbers, but in depth.” It was this mindset that led him to connect with Equbreeding.auction, where he sourced two of his top horses, Cor de Nyze and New Jessica.
What defines quality? “It’s not just talent,” he says. “It’s conformation, something you can’t change. A horse’s attitude can evolve with partnership and training. Carefulness, for instance, is something you can develop, especially under someone like Jos.”
A Technological Vision for Equestrian Sport
With his global background and double nationality, Ding views the sport from a broader perspective. “China is far ahead of Europe when it comes to tech innovation—that’s undeniable,” he says. Inspired to close that gap, he has developed a digital app aimed at integrating technology into equestrian sport. “It’s difficult,” he
admits. “The sport is still very traditional, and many breeders and stable owners aren’t comfortable embracing tech. But I believe change is coming—and I want to be part of that shift.”
Inspired by Ireland’s Greats
When asked who he looks up to, Ding doesn’t hesitate. “The Irish riders: Cian O’Connor and Darragh Kenny, are incredible. They’re not only elite athletes, but also savvy entrepreneurs. If you want to succeed in this sport, those two are shining examples.”
One to watch
With deep-rooted values, international insight, and an eye on the future, Jonathan Ding is not just riding to win, he’s building something that lasts. Whether he’s in the arena or behind a business plan, his approach is precise, passionate, and purpose-driven. In a world where both sport and technology evolve at breakneck speed, Ding is proving that it’s possible to lead in both.
