Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Secretary General Ingmar De Vos has just returned from a two-day visit to the Chinese city of Chengdu, where he addressed the fourth Chinese Equestrian Development Forum last weekend.

High on the list of topics for discussion at the forum and at separate meetings between the Chinese Equestrian Association and the FEI were the development of equestrian sport in China and the international movement of horses. Restrictions on the import and export of horses in China are still an issue and are the biggest barrier to the development of China’s equestrian industry.

De Vos proposed that the Chinese Equestrian Association, together with the FEI, undertake initiatives with the relevant government bodies in order to address this. Once these issues have been addressed, "equestrian sport can develop to its full potential in China," De Vos said.

"The Chinese Federation is very interested in development and wants to invest in equestrian sport," he said. "They are keen to seek guidance from the FEI on the sport’s development in China and we are very happy to work closely with them. This was an extremely positive meeting and the FEI’s views were very well received by our Chinese hosts