First Irish equine exports arrive in China

The first Irish equines exported to China under a ground-breaking protocol signed last July arrived last Monday.

The protocol allows Irish horses to complete 30 days quarantine in Ireland before departing to China where they undergo a further 30 days in quarantine. Previously, Irish sellers had to quarantine horses in the Netherlands, which was costly and burdensome.

The consignment was organised by Michael and Josephine O’Hagan and included two show jumpers and four ponies. They were quarantined at Paul and Eilidh Hyland’s Milland House Stud, outside Monasterevin, Co Kildare, which has been approved as a quarantine centre by the Dept of Agriculture. The horses were Castlefield Maximus, which was bred and produced by Jim O’Neill for his son Ger near Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny, along with You Two Kelly, by Warrenstown You Two, out of the Diamond Serpent mare Krafty Kate.

Raymond Carroll from EIS International handled the shipping.

The Chinese market is considered to have big potential, though all involved agree it will take time to crack.

Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall said he hoped the shipment would be the first of many.

“The approval of a pre-export quarantine centre in Ireland will make trade with China easier and hopefully these horses will be the first of many to be dispatched there. Ireland is one of the few countries that can supply horses for all levels of riders and the more new destinations we can export to the better.”

Mr O’Hagan is already on the lookout for the next consignment.

“It has taken a lot of patience and understanding on both sides to achieve this result. Josephine and I appreciate very much the efforts of all concerned. We look forward to following the progress of both show jumpers in China as they are ambassadors for Irish horses and their success will lead to more exports. Their new owners are true horseman... and are very happy with their new acquisitions. Currently we are sourcing our next order for China.”

* If experience counts for anything, expect Ireland to do well in today’s Furusiyya Series nations cup in La Baule, France.

Manager Robert Splaine has opted for Denis Lynch (All Star 5), Cameron Hanley (Antello Z), Cian O’Connor (Quidam’s Cherie) and Billy Twomey (Diaghilev).

Ireland is drawn fourth of eight teams in what is the first of its four points-scoring shows. Splaine said: “I've chosen well-seasoned campaigners who have track records of producing on the big occasion, and I hope tomorrow will be one of those days.” Also seeking points are France, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain.

Dermott Lennon is on the sidelines, but yesterday took first blood for the Irish with Vampire in the opening speed class and followed with second place in a 1.50mtr class with Loughview Lou Lou. Twomey and Tinka’s Serenade placed third.

Meanwhile, in Odense, Denmark, the following team, under chef d’equipe James Tarrant, will contest today’s Furusiyya Div 2 nations cup: Thomas Ryan (Caribo), Michael G Duffy (Murchu), Capt. Michael Kelly (Annestown), and Niall Talbot (Nicos de la Cense).

* Cian O’Connor revealed on his Facebook page this week that Nikki Walker has taken ownership of the 10-year-old gelding Cooper. She already has the ride on Blue Loyd — O’Connor’s Olympic bronze medallist — which she acquired through her grandfather Frank Stronach.

* Victory for Vincent Byrne in Barnadown last Sunday saw him draw level with Alexander Butler at the top of the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix League as they travel for the fifth leg in Cavan on Sunday.

Kilkenny’s Byrne has two wins and a second place from three outings, while Butler scored in all four legs, finishing runner-up twice.

* Touchdown sired last weekend’s Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh, and he could feature again today, as he puts his name to two of the four Irish horses on the British team in the nations cup in Odense, Denmark.

James Kernan’s stallion sired A Touch Imperious, ridden by Harriet Nuttall, as well as Touchable, with Jessie Drea in the saddle. The former, bred by Monaghan’s Leo Rice, is a 10-year-old gelding out of the Cavalier Royale mare Cavimperius. The latter, bred in Co Kildare by Dr Noel Cawley, is a 13-year-old mare out of his Irco Mena mare Irco Rain.

Dougie Douglas, partnered by Holly Gilliot, was bred in Limerick by John O’Brien, and is a 2005 gelding by Ard VDL Douglas out of Neils Girl, by High Roller. Santa Cruise II is ridden by Tim Page and was sired by Robert Whitaker’s Junior and Young Rider European Championship team gold medallist Randi. The 10-year-old gelding was bred in Kildare, by Mary McCann’s Hartwell Stud and is out of the mare Tamerarra by Hartwell Stud’s Cruising. The four horses came out of Gorsebridge Horse Sales.