BREATHING a sign of relief after successfully negotiating their way with 11 sport horse ponies across the UK landbridge this week was Irish equine hauliers Seale Transport.

Owned and operated by Roy and Deirdre Seale, the hauliers successfully moved the equines from Ireland via the Dover route from where they were going on to Germany and Scandinavia.

Based in Laois and Sweden, Seale Transport had been using the long haul route from Ireland to France direct since Brexit and this week’s consignment was the first time they travelled equines across the UK landbridge since the UK became a third country.

“We are very relieved to have successfully got horses moving through the UK landbridge. There is a system in place, the CHED document (Common Health Entry Document). We had all of our CHEDs in Dover and they were not going to let us through. Roy told them we were validated and don’t need an inspection in Calais because we are EU to EU. It worked. They kept a redacted copy of one of the certs. He was green-lighted, off the boat he went and the horses are now stabled.

“We are back in the game, transporting horses and ponies from Ireland via the UK landbridge and onto mainland Europe. Normally we would stable in Dover but we stabled in Calais. It was quicker. Using the UK landbridge, we are not at the mercy of the weather with the long haul sea route and for us, at this time of the year, it is the weather which is very frustrating,” explained Deirdre Seale.

Asked how they found the CHED process, Deirdre said: “It was hard work, very detailed. It’s twice the work involved now really. We have to double check and check again that all is right. It is not straightforward but it is a process and we were able to navigate it fortunately. It’s all been a learning curve.”

Hauling horses and ponies this year was described as “crazy busy” as they did not get moving as early as they would have liked to given all the issues thrown up by Brexit.

Relief

“We had 11 ponies on our big horse truck that can carry 18 horses. We did not want to have a full load in case of problems. However, it all went very well. We are hugely relieved. We have now taken on a full time person to do the logistics. We are able to offer that facility of information sharing with anyone who needs it,” said Deirdre.

Opening up shortly is the Harwich to Rotterdam route for horses so that will help ease equine international sea transport as well from Britain into mainland Europe.

“We have a truck going on Sunday to France with all thoroughbreds on board. This last load of 11 were all sport horse ponies.

“One was actually going to Mexico from Germany, so he had to make a flight and was on a tight schedule. We have the map of our route and a video on our Facebook page if people find that helpful. We are delighted to help where we can,” said Deirdre Seale.

British Inquiry set up

Meanwhile, the British Equestrian Federation said a new independent Equine Sport and Business Working Group has been established to represent riders, operators, producers, breeders and show organisers. Submissions can also be made to the upcoming Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee inquiry into moving horses across borders, which is now open to receive evidence.

See page 82 for more.