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The Equestrian Industry's Rising Demand for ATA Carnets
Friday, July 31, 2026
Call Boomerang Carnets, Your Carnet Specialists
The equestrian industry has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing ATA Carnet sectors at boomerang carnets®. Over the past several years, the demand for ATA Carnets has climbed steadily as more horses, riders, trainers, equine veterinarians, equipment/gear manufacturers, and other equestrian businesses rely on ATA Carnets to take part in international competitions, exhibitions, and events.
The ATA Carnet
The ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted customs document for temporarily exported merchandise, goods or equipment that allows cross-border movement of those goods import-duty and -tax free in and out of 90+ carnet countries and territories for up to a year. Also known as the “Merchandise Passport”, the ATA Carnet is a unique international trade tool serving various purposes from temporary importation of professional equipment to trade show exhibiting.
Not all carnet providers offer the same level of expertise, especially when it comes to live animals. Transporting a horse under an ATA Carnet requires careful attention to documentation, valuation, and identification standards. At boomerang carnets, we ensure these standards are met while guiding clients through the nuances that come with equestrian travel.
Tracking the Equestrian Sector’s Explosive Rise in ATA Carnet Use
New Holders of ATA Carnets gage trends in growth for the many industries we serve. Here are the results for our New Holders in the equestrian industry for 2023 through 2025 up to the first half of 2026.
Annual Growth
Growth Rates
- 2023 - 2024: +91%
- 2024 - 2025: +49%
- 2026 – so far matching the entire total for 2023 for only the first half of the year.
Growth Trends
International Competition Drives Demand - The busiest months for equestrian ATA Carnets consistently fall between May and July, aligning with the peak season and the expanding number of international horse shows and competitions.
Reputation and Customer Service Drives Growth - Most equestrian customers discover boomerang carnets in the equestrian industry by word-of-mouth.
Word-of-mouth referrals consistently dominate the top spot for new Carnet holders in the equestrian industry. The value they place on word-of-mouth recommendations has led to this explosion of growth for this industry. Online searches and trade exhibitions also contribute to new business, but referrals from within fellow equestrians, trainers, and industry professionals remain the strongest source of growth.
“Just Call Kiel”
Within the equestrian community, word travels fast. With greater frequency, we’ve heard a simple phrase repeated among riders, trainers, and logistics coordinators, “Just Call Kiel.” The Kiel in “Just Call Kiel” (pronounced Kyle) refers to Kiel Ursin, Carnet Specialist at boomerang carnets with over ten years of experience serving customers. Kiel also has the distinction of being our Communications Specialist.
A Phone Call to Kiel
Carnet Specialist Kiel Ursin recently took a call from one of his many horse customers wanting to share something about Thunderbird Show Park, one of North America's premier equestrian outdoor event facilities located in British Columbia that host nine weeks of globally recognized hunter and jumper tournaments. In Kiel’s words:
“I got a call from one of my many horse folks and he told me that Thunderbird is now officially promoting me / us! :) Apparently, they really recommend that everyone use our Carnets. They give my contact info and literally say, “Just call Kiel!””
More Than Horses
While competition horses remain at the heart of many ATA Carnets, today's equestrian industry is far more diverse. Beyond the horse itself, equestrian travel often includes an extensive list of supporting equipment. ATA Carnets can cover everything from riding gear and training tools to competition infrastructure. In addition, our growth in the equestrian industry includes a wide range of professionals and businesses in the field, including:
- Horse dealers
- Equine trainers and coaches
- Equine veterinarians
- Horse dentists
- Horse massage therapists
- Bitting specialists
- Manufacturers of jumps and training equipment
- Equestrian equipment suppliers
- Accessories and apparel companies
From horses and saddles to specialized equipment and professional services, ATA Carnets simplify temporary international shipments by allowing qualifying goods to enter participating countries without paying duties and taxes, provided they are re-exported within the period of validity of the carnet.
Getting Your Horses There—CPDs and Support Vehicles
We also assist with CPDs (Carnet de Passages en Douane) for horse trailers and support vehicles traveling internationally ensuring that every element of the journey is accounted for and compliant at the border. The CPD is an international customs document which covers the temporary admission of motor vehicles (private and commercial road motor vehicles) in countries where required and saves you the duty and taxes on trailers and road motor vehicles used to carry horses across international borders. We issue CPDs in the U.S. and Canada. If you are in the U.K., call us and we’ll recommend one of our trusted partners to accommodate your CPD needs.
Continued Growth
The explosive rise in ATA Carnet usage over the past four years reflects not only the growing number of international equestrian sports events but also the increasing awareness of using boomerang carnets in the equestrian sector as the preferred ATA Carnet provider for horses, horses' equipment, tack, competition supplies, professional tools, and related merchandise.
Boomerang carnets continue to assist riders headed to an international championship, or a trainer attending a global event, or a manufacturer showcasing the latest equestrian equipment. We are here to assist you with the cross-border movement of your goods with confidence, ease, and peace of mind.
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