Eurotunnel Signs Equine Travel Deal

Ahead of the World Equestrian games in Normandy in 2014, Eurotunnel has announced plans to develop its horse transport service by joining forces with a new carrier, Equine Travel Agency (ETA).

ETA transports around 5,000 horses a year as a professional international horse transport company and uses state of the art air conditioned vehicles and experienced staff.

Eurotunnel is already working in partnership with British transport companies (Peden Bloodstock, Harbour Shipping and John Parker International Ltd) but ETA will be focusing on providing Eurotunnel services to customers on mainland Europe.

ETA has been authorised by Eurotunnel to transport horses on the shuttles, as of 1st November.

ETA is accredited by the veterinary services to run a long distance service between Great Britain and any departure point in Europe: France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic or other continental countries.

This will allow many equine professionals and enthusiasts to cross under the Channel in ETA’s vehicles or in their own horse trucks provided they respect Eurotunnel’s strict safety norms.
 
Jo Willacy, Eurotunnel commercial director, said: ‘Eurotunnel is delighted to help sportsmen and women with their equine travel arrangements. We are receiving more and more requests from outside of the UK, so it is important to extend our relationships with reputable and reliable international transporters. The signing of a partnership agreement with ETA will enable us to better serve our customers, especially when stringent conditions have to be met for major sporting events.’
 
Graham Eggleton, chief executive of Equine Travel Agency, added: ‘Our teams will ensure horses travel in all tranquillity and, with the Shuttle, there will be no worry about sea-sickness. The grooms can remain in the vehicle to look after their animal. I am very honoured to be able to use the Shuttle whose ease of use and reliability are unique assets.’