AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- EQUITANA Auckland chief executive Rod Lockwood said here on Monday that Germany's top equestrian brand is looking to hold an event in one of China's biggest cities.
Lockwood, who brought EQUITANA to Australia 20 years ago and New Zealand in 2017, told Xinhua that "one of the things we are investigating is where the event will be held (in China) and when will be the best time to do it. "
EQUITANA was founded in Germany and is one of the largest equestrian events, which is designed to bring equestrian community together. It is a multi-discipline event including exhibitions, commercial and entertainment opportunities along with education.
"I have a lot of interest in China," Lockwood said. "That is a very important market. So we would work with the German people to bring an event to China."
Lockwood, whose company owns EQUITANA Melbourne in Australia and EQUITANA Auckland in New Zealand, said their success in both countries has encouraged him to bring the event to China.
"Lets get together to grow this industry and make it bigger and more successful.
"We are very proud to unite the industry. We feel very have a very important role to play in networking, in explaining the new products, in educating, in exhibition and in showing the best competitions.
"We can create European atmosphere and get the best horses. We can get the best educators to tell people how to look after the horses to train their horse better. We feel that it is a role. "
Lockwood said he was aware of the possible difficulties and challenges to explore the Chinese market but added that he is always optimistic.
"I don't think it is difficult. Even though for many years, China has been in the process of industrialization, there is not much room for horses, but because of the very proud history in China, people still love horses.
"So I think it is not difficult. The difficulty is to get the different disciplines. What discipline do the Chinese people like? The western? Dressage or other Olympic events? That is the research we need to do.
"Then we will investigate how to bring the business community, including stables and new products to China. Those are all ready for EQUITANA. "
He hopes Alex Hua Tian, the first Chinese rider to compete in eventing at the Olympic Games, can play a role in it.
"Someone with his profile is very important in introducing you to more equestrian people," he said.
He also expects to get support from China, "You have to get the right venue. You cannot just go to an exhibition hall. We need grass, we need open space, and we need halls to do this. We will ask the local government if they can help us."
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