The 3rd edition of the China Horse Fair was the most successful to date according to the organisers Tarsus Hope Exhibition Co., Ltd. Andrew Furness, Director of Tarsus Hope said, ‘By all measures this year’s event has raised the bar and confirmed that the professional horse sports and leisure market in China is developing rapidly’. He went onto say, ‘In particular the growth in international exhibitor participation is a clear indication that the market in China is becoming more discerning with buyers demanding access to a wide range of quality suppliers’.  

International exhibitors came from recognised centres of excellence including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain and the USA. Reflecting a renewed focus on raising standards amongst China’s horse breeders, professional riding establishments and affluent individual enthusiasts, there was a particularly strong presence from world renowned horse breeders representing diverse bloodlines such as Arabian, Portugese, Spanish and American. While exporting horses to China is not without its challenges, increasing numbers of international breeders recognise the huge potential this market has to offer in the future. Key motives for many of these suppliers to exhibit was to create awareness, understand buyer trends and establish a network of local contacts.

Exhibitors were not disappointed as more than two thousand visitors attended the three day exhibition which represented a doubling in the number of attendees over the last event held in 2008. Representing buying interests nationwide, the China Horse Fair 09 welcomed senior management from existing horse sports and leisure facilities located in established hot spots of activity such as Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, along with those from emerging centres in central and western China.

Commenting on their participation at the event, Ms. Pat Rowantree from the exhibiting company Queen Margaret's School Canada, said ‘I found the China Horse Fair 2009 extremely useful for making linkages with equestrian programs and horse clubs in China.  I have no doubt that this will lead to some partnerships in the future.’

This positive sentiment was widely reported during feedback from the exhibitors and was summed up by HFRivera who said ‘I believe we have achieved a lot during the China Horse Fair 2009. I certainly believe in China’s enormous potential and demand for horses and equine industry in the near future.’

The China Horse Fair is actively supported by the country’s premier trade bodies including the Chinese Horse industry Association and the Chinese Equestrian Association.

Looking to the future, Mr. Furness commented, ‘The market trends are clearly very positive and as China’s only trade event dedicated to the professional horse sports and leisure industry, we are confident that the China Horse Fair will continue to grow alongside the industry it so effectively represents.’

Dates for China Horse Fair 2010 are 26-28 October 2010 at the China International Exhibition Center Beijing.