Take one equestrian, add some German and stick him in China.

It’s an unusual mix, and Raishun Burch is making it work for him in a big way.

The 25-year-old propelled an internship with a German sports marketing firm into a full-time job, organising equestrian events out of Beijing.

It’s a perfect fit for Mr Burch. A natural athlete — he’s also a golfer, and the brother of Olympic swimmer Roy-Allan Burch — he’s been riding since the age of six and has represented Bermuda in several international events.

He studied international business and German while at university in England, which landed him an internship with En Garde Marketing.

“I started out as an intern helping out with different jobs,” he said. “I fell into the equestrian side of things. I was asked to accompany another staff member to Beijing, China where equestrian events were being organised. That was really exciting.”

He now divides his time equally between Beijing and Osnabruck, Germany promoting events for China National Sports International.

Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher, European gold medallist Roger Yves-Bost and equestrian legend Michel Robert are among those he’s helped bring to China to compete.

Part of the wooing process involves socialising with the riders.

“It has been nice to meet all of them and put them in a different context,” he said. “As a spectator you don’t get to sit down and talk with them. When we chat they are not in the middle of a competition and don’t feel under pressure. I pick up riding tips from them all the time.”

The job isn’t without challenges, Mr Burch said.

Riders are sometimes reluctant to travel to China to compete because they can’t bring their own horses and, because Mr Burch doesn’t speak Mandarin, there is sometimes a communications barrier between himself and Chinese officials.

“Horses brought into China cannot go out again,” said Mr Burch. “This is because Chinese quarantine regulations are not in line with international regulations. For the riders it can be a risk to ride a horse they don’t know.”

Riders also receive less money for competing in China. Prize money for top showjumping events in other countries might be around 100,000 to 200,000 in one weekend. In China they might only earn 10,000 or less.

The advantage for the rider, however is the exposure.

“In Germany, if a televised equestrian event is seen by 200,000 or 300,000 people that’s good,” Mr Burch said.

Because of the high population density in China, a televised equestrian event will be seen by millions of viewers.

“Showjumping is a new sport for China,” Mr Burch said. “Along with the challenges of putting on an event in itself and the challenges of getting the sponsors and riders and everyone here, you have to explain things to people who have no knowledge of the sport and how things are run.”

Mr Burch recently began riding competively in Germany. He and his horse, Lord Fauntleroy, finished 11th in their class in the CSN Damme.