The consignment, which consisted of two show jumpers and four miniature horses, is the first shipment under a new export protocol signed by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and Chinese Vice-Minister Wei Chuanzhong last July. Until now, Irish horses had to travel via the Netherlands and quarantine there.

Among this consignment was the 17.2hh stallion Castlefield Maximus who was bred and produced by Jim and Ger O’Neill in Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny. The second show was You Two Kelly, a nine-year-old mare owned by the O’Haire family and sold through Ger O’Brien from Raheen na Gun Stud.