TOPEKA (KSNT) - Two states in the Midwest recently hosted a delegation from China as the east Asian nation looks to acquire horses to send overseas. The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) issued a press release on Oct. 15 detailing how a trade group from China visited both Kansas and Nebraska in search of high-quality American paint horses. The Chinese delegates are looking to purchase the horses for the burgeoning equestrian market in China. “This is the first equine-related trade team hosted by KDA and represents a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of equestrian sports in China,” said Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, international trade director in the KDA Ag Marketing team. “We look forward to doing more work in this emerging market.” The KDA said the Chinese visitors were hosted by the American Paint Horse Association which included industry experts and equine enthusiasts who are exploring new partnership opportunities. This follows recent growth in the Chinese equestrian market and a demand for all-around horses. Delegates expressed interest in youth-suitable horses for young equestrian enthusiasts along with broodmares and stud prospects. What cities will Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ engine visit in Kansas? “We are excited to engage with local horse owners and breeders,” said An Tao, a horse trainer from Beijing. State workers within the KDA hope to encourage new opportunities for producers to market and sell livestock genetics both within the nation and internationally. Missions such as this one are made possible through the KDA's membership in the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. with U.S. Department of Agriculture Market Access Program funding. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.  Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf