As the human tragedy of the thousands of stricken migrants stranded in Calais unfolds, those travelling internationally with horses and livestock may need to factor in delays when journeying to international shows.

British police have questioned a Sudanese migrant found under a horsebox travelling into Britain via Calais. The 26-year-old man was discovered on a Belgian-registered lorry after it arrived at the All-England Jumping Course at Hickstead. Staff at Hickstead made the startling discovery as the ramps were being pulled down on the truck.

Andrea O’Brien from EIS, an Irish horse transport company, told The Irish Horse: “This is a busy time of year. We have lorries travelling via Calais but we haven’t come up against any major problems. Livestock is being given priority and are being moved up the queue.”

Earlier in the week, traffic was facing up to five hours of delays and Eurostar services were suspended on both sides of the Channel. The tack lockers on the side of the vehicles are perceived as possible hiding places although the authorities are using thermal imaging techniques, heartbeat monitors and acoustic sensors in their searches.