The China Horse Fair 2013 (CHF 2013) delivered high quality trade buyers from across China including attendees from the major centres of activity in Beijing, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Chengdu and Wuhan. In addition to an excellent local attendance, CHF 2013 also welcomed international visitors including a delegation led by the New Zealand China Trade Association (NZCTA) who were on a fact finding visit into China’s equine market and chose October specifically to visit CHF 2013. Commenting on the success of CHF 2013, Marketing Manager Sonia Ou Yang said, “This year’s CHF strengthened its standing as the most international and comprehensive professional equestrian and horse industry trade fair in China.”
A total of 125 companies from 16 countries presented their latest products and services and with international suppliers once again accounting for over 50% of the total number of exhibiting companies and exhibit space.
Trade buyers making enquiries at CHF 2013
World class suppliers from Korea, Japan, Australia, USA, Canada, Argentina, UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Dubai and of course China took this opportunity to put their products in front of an increasingly knowledgeable and professional audience, reflecting the continued growth in global awareness of China as an emerging export market for the equine sector. Commenting on this strong support, Ou Yang confirmed that “In addition to the individual local and international participants, there was a strong international presence with large official pavilions from the UK, the Netherlands, France and Germany.”
Ou Yang went on to say “We were delighted to see that over 30% of the International exhibitors had joined the CHF for the first time this year, clear recognition of its status as the first-choice trade exhibition. The buyers who visited CHF 2013 definitely benefit from having direct access to international experts who were able to discuss and advise them on their future plans and requirements.” Ou Yang went onto say, “It is important for Chinese trade buyers to see new brands, innovative new products and understand what options to choose from, both locally and internationally, and so make more informed purchasing decisions to help them improve their own business.”
Riding demonstrations proved a popular and informative attraction
The indoor display arena for this year’s event impressed both exhibitors and visitors with its bigger size, high-quality facilities and international standard performances. During the three day event, the Equestrian Globe team from the German pavilion presented a daily equestrian programme featuring horse dance performances by their Andalusian Show Stars. In addition, various German bred horses were shown under saddle by theriders in dressage and over fences, which helped visitors experience close-up the beauty of the equestrian world.
Additionally, the CHF 2013 was proud to host a teenage rider competition which was organized by the Beijing Turf & Equestrian Association with support from Equestrian Globe, coordinator of the German Pavilion.
Equine experts shared their knowledge during the event
Once again this year’s educational presentations included experts from United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, New Zealand and Australia at CHF 2013 Forum. The themes discussed included “Swedish Riding School's curriculum and learning strategy and other aspects of Riding School System which now are being introduced to China”, “How a correctly fitted saddle can improve/affect the performance of horse and rider”, and “Practical Feeding Considerations for Chinese Horse Farms” etc.
The presence of numerous market leaders, the comprehensive products exhibited and the diversified supporting programmes aroused great interest among the visitors. Accordingly the feedback from exhibitors at CHF 2013 has been very positive.
“In general, CHF 2013 was very good! As an exhibitor, during this year’s exhibition we successfully promoted our brand to the market and at the same time established cooperation with many overseas equestrian product suppliers who were also exhibitors. We are expecting to meet with experts and professionals from this industry again at CHF 2014…” said Mr. Hu, General Manager of Basong Saddlery Co. This sentiment was also shared by Horseware Ireland Co.who said “CHF is the biggest and best exhibition in China serving the professional horse sports and leisure industries.”
Dr Kathrine B Davis, one of the forum speakers, said “I was an exhibitor and invited guest speaker at CHF 2011 where I spoke on how nutrition impacts horse performance. My presentation was in English and my assistant translated. This year I spoke in Mandarin on Practical Equine Nutrition Considerations in China’s Horse Farms and Equestrian Centres. It has taken me two years study to achieve this goal! Based on my experience at CHF 2011 I highly recommended CHF 2013 to the NZCTA and the group of 15 delegates readily agreed. We attended the fair 17th Oct 2013 to learn about the Chinese horse industry and how we can best engage. The New Zealand experts want to learn as much as possible and listen to the local people so we can provide what China’s horse owners, riders, club owners and officials need. CHF 2014 will see an even bigger delegation from New Zealand return we hope with a dedicated NZ Pavilion.”
In 2014 China Horse Fair will be staged in Beijing again in October.
Further information is available at www.chinahorsefair.com.cn.
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