I was happy the other day to read one of the few efforts by a foreign trade body to publish something useful and in English about the Chinese equestrian scene. ‘China Horse Industry Overview’ is posted on its website by the Kentucky China Trade Centre, which I first encountered at the Equestrian China expo last autumn where it was promoting the southern US state, which will host the World Equestrian Games later this year.
At over 30 pages the report usefully details hybrid Chinese breeds like the Sanhe and Yili and the breeding centers where you can find them. I also runs through the race tracks around the country (surprisingly many) and distinguishes between the support at provincial government level for horse racing and the lingering suspicion at national policymaking level of on-track gambling which has kept racing as we know it in Hong Kong/UK/USA in the starter box. It is a bit frustrating though to read that the government forbids racing – I had assumed the only thing that’s forbidden is racing for gambling.
Anyway, it’s well worth a read and will be of use to US horse breeders seeking to sell bloodstock here.