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.