Six individuals representing Equine Canada’s Export Market Development program (EC Export) completed a trade mission to Zhaosu County, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwest China in early July. The mission’s delegates met their objectives to experience, firsthand, a Chinese-run equestrian sporting event, gain knowledge of China’s current horse husbandry practices and demonstrate that Canada has the expertise to partner with China as it strives to develop a contemporary horse industry.
In a different format from previous trade missions, four endurance riders, who took on the role as “Canadian Equestrian Ambassadors” represented Canada in a four-day equine festival called the Invitational Tournament of 2011 “Xinfadi Cup” the Second National Equestrianism Endurance Racing and Speed Competition in Pasture of Zhaosu County. Along with a flat racing meet for Chinese-owned thoroughbreds and native horses, the festival was comprised of three days of riding over 260 km in the area’s grasslands, which included an 80 km endurance race on July 1st.
Riding borrowed horses for the event were Elroy Karius, Gail Jewel, Robert Gielen and Wendy MacCoubrey. Each has represented Canada internationally, most recently as members of the Canadian Equestrian Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and/or the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championships. Susan Stewart, the managing consultant of EC Export, led the trade mission and Barbara Daley acted as the communications consultant for the initiative.
“Unanimously, we felt that our greatest contribution going forward would be to facilitate educational opportunities for Chinese equestrians, delivered both in China and in Canada,” stated Stewart. “Considering this region of China’s history with horses and Canada’s contemporary horse industry infrastructure, a partnership for development has unique possibilities.”
The county’s plan focuses on Zhaosu living up to its reputation as the area of “heavenly horses”, first recorded 2,000 years ago. With ideal climatic conditions and 3,900 square kilometres of protected grassland dedicated for animal rearing, the Zhaosu area government has its sights on catapulting Chinese horse breeding for modern-day equestrian sport into the forefront. Along with increasing the number of horse sport events offered in the region, it is investing in infrastructure for its breeding sector, including increasing the use of artificial insemination to enhance the area’s native breed, the Yili horse.
EC Export is a catalyst for change. It provides opportunities for Canadians to promote their horse industry abroad and, at times, travel to other countries to experience their industries’ current practices and learn about their needs. EC Export’s focus extends beyond its overall goal to increase live equine and equine genetics export revenue. Its long-term objectives are to help Canadians understand and respond to the needs, preferences and buying habits of international customers; promote internationally using the Canada Brand for the equine industry; and position Canada to be recognized internationally as a mature, developed equine nation where quality horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, equine genetics and expertise can be sought by international buyers.
Watch for the full length article on the mission, “Path to China — Endurance in Zhaosu” in the August/September issue of Equine Canada Magazine. A photo journal of the initiative can be found on EC Export’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ECExport, and a blog journal of each day can be found at http://bit.ly/BarnmiceECExport . Additional information on EC Export is available at www.EquineCanada.ca/Export.
For more information, please contact Susan Stewart, a consultant to Equine Canada’s Export Market Development program, by telephone at (613) 826-1155 or email at export@equinecanada.ca.
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