Enterprise Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland were exhibiting at the three-day fair in Beijing last week for the first time where other Irish companies represented included Botanica International, Bucas, Connolly’s Red Mills, Horseware, the Irish Equine Centre, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and Mervue Laboratories.

Declan McArdle was promoting Teagasc’s educational services, while seeking a share of the Chinese student market was Susan Barrett and Brian Duff, promoting language and activity holidays at Clonshire and Broadmeadow equestrian centres.

The Dutch and Germans were also present and looking to extend their strong foothold in the market.

Other visitors included Irish ambassador Paul Kavanagh, coaches Jack Doyle and Sue Shortt (who were headhunted for coaching positions in Mongolia and China) and two Irish expats – farrier Arthur Judge and show jumper Austin Melia.

HSI chair Prof Pat Wall, already in Beijing on a food safety mission, was also at the Irish trade stand.

“You can see what our competitors are doing and there’s some very impressive stands. Lots of products are manufactured here but the one thing the Chinese cannot manufacture is a good Irish horse,” he said.

He also aims to target the 5,000-strong Chinese student population in Ireland as ambassadors.

“The Germans and Dutch are much more aggressive. They’re prepared to put horses into riding schools here for free and to wait for a return. We haven’t the resources to do that, but we do have the potential to create 5,000 ambassadors for Ireland and get them hooked on Irish horses by going to races and shows.”

One such student helping at the trade stand was UCD dairy science student John Yu who, with the assistance of trainer Kieran Hanlon, Jim Derwin and Philip Lazenby, hopes to become the first Chinese hunt servant in Ireland.

Several sales may be in the pipeline, according to Mark Bolger, HSI director of finance and operations. “We’ve had many enquiries from individuals but also from equestrian centres for bulk orders of horses. It’s important to get a footfall of Irish horses in China.”