Australia: Taking all the right Rhodes results in a monthly award

Central West Credit Union’s Leanne Mikoda (right) congratulates endurance rider Karen Rhodes on winning September’s Sportsperson of the Month award.

Cowraguardian.com.au

07 Dec, 2009

She holds the record for the most finishing buckles in the gruelling Shahzada marathon and that feat has propelled Karen Rhodes to September’s Sportsperson of the Month award.

The Woodstock horsewoman collected her 15th buckle out of 16 attempts when competing in the rugged terrain of St Albans near the Blue Mountains.

No rider boasts more buckles in the demanding five-day event where entrants cover 80km each day.

She has trained her trusted companions Kelly and Shadow to cover the designated courses, estimating between the pair of them have covered over 7,000km competitively without taking into account training rides.

Rhodes has also been tackling another of the endurance riders’ marquee rides in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

The 160km one day ride was recently held in Victoria where Rhodes and Shadow finished their fifth Quilty together.

The event is known for the toll it takes on horses and riders alike with a number of entrants failing veterinary examinations.

That’s what makes Rhodes’ achievements so special, the fact like clockwork she almost completes every ride.

She maintains her goal is to complete every ride she competes in.

That’s winning to her.

Bahrain: Hazza captures endurance title

Gulf-daily-news.com

Sunday, December 06, 2009

BAHRAIN'S Isa Bu Hazza, riding CR Prince Charming, won the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Endurance Ride Championship yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

A 75-strong field set out on the four-stage 100-kilometre race before dawn. But Hazza was first off the blocks and once he established a big lead he did not have to look back.

He was the sole leader after the opening two legs of 30 kms each, and he maintained a strong stride over the remainder of the ride to complete the event in four hours 23 minutes and 49 seconds.

Hazza built a gap of over seven minutes from his closest challenger by the time he reached the finish line. Compatriot Ebrahim Al Jabury, riding Al Habeeba, was the runner-up with a total ride time of 4:31:19. The duo made an impressive one-two for Ahmed Al Fateh Stable.

Al Jabury did well to pace himself behind the victor and managed to overcome a late challenge from third-placed rider Salman Isa, who is also Bahraini and riding for Al Hawar Stable.

Isa, saddling Tirroan, moved up to second overall after the 25 kms third stage. But Al Jabury regained the advantage with a stronger ride down the final 15 kms to seal second place.

Isa finished three minutes behind Al Jabury in 4:34.30.

Abdulla Yusuf Al Qasimi from the Bahamas was fourth. Riding Jellaby Kafour, Al Qasimi had a total ride time of 4:53:01, and was the last rider to finish the event under five hours.

Registered Fifth was Ali Al Tamimi on Khoto. The Al Asayel Stable ace had a solid performance that saw him finish in 5:00:57.

Bilal Al Rajab riding Sedan was sixth. Al Rajab, from Al Muhqeerat Stable, registered a total ride time of 5:06:59.

Rounding out the top eight were Othman Abduljalil Awadhi and Jaffar Mohammed Salman. Awadhi, riding Jacquard de la Pouge from Ahmed Al Fateh Stable, completed the race in 5:08:18; while Salman, saddling Suwaity Reaan from Awal Stable, was not far behind in 5:09:44.

Awadhi overtook Salman in the final stage to finish ahead of his close rival.

All the winning riders were later presented with trophies and cash prizes by Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Sultan bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Sultan are the sons of His Majesty King Hamad and the brothers of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The event, which was the third of the endurance season, was organised by Breef and held under the patronage of Shaikh Khalid. It was sponsored by the Swiss-Bahrain Holding Company.

Along with his first-placed trophy and prize money, Hazza drove home the grand prize of a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser.

Meanwhile, Dhruv Singh from India finished first in the 85 kms and 60 kms qualifying events.

He had a total ride time of 4:24:53 on Lormar Lorraine in the 85 kms race, and then completed the 60 kms event in 3:04:43.

India's Mohan Singh, riding LO 605, came second in both events. Hari Singh, also from India, finished third in the 85 kms event while Bahrain's Abdulrahman Al Saad was third in the 60 kms ride.

click HERE for photos by Osama Mohammed

Abu Dhabi: Obaid wins Rashid Challenge ride

Mohammad Hilal Salim Obaid wins the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge at the Dubai International Endurance village yesterday.

Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty, Gulf News


Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter, Gulf News
Published: December 6, 2009

Abu Dhabi: Mohammad Hilal Salim Obaid, riding Rahman Des Bruycres, secured his first major endurance victory when he won the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge 120km ride held at the Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday.

Obaid, riding the 10-year-old gelding Rahman Des Bruycres from Al Aasfa Stables, which is trained by Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya, dominated the ride from the second stage onwards and made every phase a winning one.

After South Africa's Gerda Burger won the first 27-km stage in which Obaid was fifth, it was a close battle between the two in the second and third loops.

Under threat

However Obaid won both and at the end of the third loop and was leading with Burger second. At that stage Obaid and his horse were averaging over a 26 km/h speed and the world record for a 120km ride here in the UAE seemed under threat.

However, Burger's challenge faded away and she eventually finished 7th while Obaid went on but at a much slower pace to win the 120-km in a timing of 4:42:26.

The world record stands in the name of Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri on Cupid, set at Al Wathba with a timing of 4:32.26 during the 2007 National Day Cup.

Ahmad Saeed Al Farsi on Akasha Sansation was second behind Obaid in 4:44.33, followed by Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum on Halim in 4:56.39.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum along with Ali Mousa Al Khamiri of Dubai Equestrian Club gave away the prizes and trophies to the winners.

Results

1. Mohammad Hilal Salim Obaid (Rahman Des Bruycres) 4hrs 42 mins 24 secs;

2. Ahmad Saeed Al Farsi (Akasha Sansation) 4:44.33;

3. Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum (Halim) 4:56.39;

4. Hassan Abdullah Al Hammadi (Habibi) 4:56.41;

5. Khalifa Ganem Al Merri (Neran) 4:57.16.

Great Britain: British Equestrian Federation welcomes the FEI's move

Endurancegb.co.uk

2nd December 2009

British Equestrian Federation welcomes delay of "Progressive List"

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) welcomes the move taken by the Bureau of the FEI to defer the introduction of the new Equine Prohibited Substances List and the accompanying Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations until 5 April 2010. This positive step recognises the urgent need for further discussion and reflection on the consequences of rushing through the "progressive list" without further debate.

The BEF will now seek the views of our FEI sporting member bodies, and through them riders, organisers and officials, as well as other organisations and individuals as appropriate. A consolidated view will be passed to the FEI.

Between now and 5 April 2010 the BEF will work closely with the FEI in order to ensure that riders, team managers, owners, veterinarians and other stakeholders have clear guidance as to the regulations in force. We will also work with the FEI to seek to find a way through this period that does not compromise our collective clean sport principles.

"This is a most positive move by the FEI," comments Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the BEF. “"The objective must now be to find a global consensus that meets the needs of a clean sport. For us, this needs two things: very high levels of equine welfare and the complete support of the international community."

Vets Object to New FEI Drug Guidelines, FEI Responds

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: The Horse Staff
November 30 2009, Article # 15370

On Nov. 19 the General Assembly of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) approved new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations as well as a new list of prohibited substances. The passed regulations included a "progressive list" of substances that will now be allowed in competition in limited amounts.

Some national federations called for a second vote on the progressive-list measure, claiming that some voters were confused as to what they were voting for. This request was denied. (Read more: "FEI Takes Steps on Equine Welfare, Doping Issues.")

On Nov. 24, a group of veterinarians submitted the following letter to the FEI:

FEI Clean Sport
The 'Progressive List'
24 November 2009
To: FEI President

Your Royal Highness,

As a group of senior veterinarians with experience of equestrian competition at international level...

More...

Celebrity Chef Dinner Series Celebrates 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

New York, N.Y. - America's leading chefs are partnering with the world's most prestigious equestrian competition to showcase the country's rich culinary heritage for 16 nights during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Cookin' in the Bluegrass: A Celebrity Chef Dinner Series.

The James Beard Foundation has partnered with the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games for Cookin' in the Bluegrass. This dinner series will occur each night from September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, Ky., as the Kentucky Horse Park hosts the world championships in eight equestrian sports.

Each dinner will feature two celebrity chefs, many of whom are James Beard Award-winners, and one local or Kentucky-based chef, cooking side-by-side at the Kentucky Horse Park's Farmhouse restaurant. Each night, 80 guests will enjoy dining experiences that replicate the sumptuous dinners held at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City.

Tickets for Cookin' in the Bluegrass will be available for purchase in early 2010 at www.alltechfeigames.com. Prices have not been finalized.


Current Participating Chefs include:

John Besh, Restaurant August, New Orleans, La.
Philippe Boulot, the Heathman at the Heathman Hotel, Portland, Ore.
Clifford Buittano and Anne Quatrano, Bacchanalia, Atlanta, Ga.
Sanford D'Amato, Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI
Roberto Donna, Galileo, Washington, DC
Jose Garces, 2009 Iron Chef Winner, Amada, Philadelphia; Pa.
Mark Kiffin, The Compound restaurant, Santa Fe, N.M.
Mike Lata, Fig, Charleston, S.C.
Christopher Lee, Aureole, New York City, N.Y.
Emily Luchetti, Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, Calif.
George Mavrothalassaitis, Chef Mavro Restaurant, Honolulu, HI
Nancy Oakes, Boulevard restaurant, San Francisco, Calif.
Vitaly Paley, Paley's Place Bistro and Bar, Portland, Ore.
Joachim B. Splichal, Patina Restaurant Group, New York, NY.
Mark Vetri, Vetri, Philadelphia, Pa.

"The James Beard Foundation is honored to be part of an event that allows a diverse group of chefs to share their culinary points of view with a whole new audience," said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. "Our 2010 Games dinners will pair the best local and national chefs in America's great southern region, where we celebrate so many of our nation's deepest culinary roots."

In spring 2010 the James Beard Foundation will offer a coinciding "Bluegrass Experience" at the James Beard House in New York to honor the World Equestrian Games culinary events.

Sponsors include the Kentucky Proud Program, dedicated to marketing Kentucky-made or -grown food products (funded in part by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture). From local farmers to brewers, distillers, growers and cheese-makers, Kentucky Proud represents an array of local products distributed throughout the world. Kentucky Proud will facilitate the use of fresh, local ingredients every night of Cookin' in the Bluegrass.

Proceeds from Cookin' in the Bluegrass will benefit the James Beard Foundation, The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

About the James Beard Foundation:
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America's culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary excellence. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. Today, the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to culinary schools, and publications, and by maintaining the historic James Beard House in New York City's Greenwich Village as a "performance space" for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit www.jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation's blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter.

About the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation:
Since its inception in 1985 the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and a prestigious board has been fulfilling its mission to become the unquestioned leading equestrian facility of its kind in the world and continues to provide funding for the park's facilities such as show rings and barns for equine competitions, horses and carriages, costumes, signage, demographic research, land surveys, and publications.

About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The 2010 Games are the first to incorporate all eight international disciplines as well as the first to be held outside of Europe.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Meydan, Ariat International, Inc, and UK Healthcare. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

Chile: Pan-American Championship 2011 Will Be In Santo Domingo

Endurancebrasil.com.br

Chilenos envolvidos com o esporte estão animados com a aprovacao da FEI em permitir que o pais sedie o Pan e ja comecam organizar os preparativos

Informacoes extra oficiais confirmam que Chile sera o anfitriao do proximo Campeonato Panamericano de Enduro Equestre, que acontece a cada dois anos. O evento se dara em Santo Domingo no ano de 2011, ainda sem data definida, mas com previsao para acontecer no mes de Abril.

O Campeonato Panamericano e uma competicao para enduristas de todas as nacoes das Americas. A ultima edicao aconteceu este ano, no Uruguai, no Haras La Perseverancia em Costa Azul. Em 2005, quem sediou foi Argentina, em Pinamar; depois em 2007 aconteceu no Brasil, em Campinas.

Neste ano de 2009 o Brasil nao teve uma atuacao muito positiva, apenas Rafael Salvador (Minas Gerais), com Califa Tamm e Lucas Maia (Sao Paulo), que montou HMA Jackpot deram alegrias entre os jovens. Rafael ficou com o 4th lugar e Lucas 5th. Nick Lins, entre os adultos, montou NNL Zhest e finalizou com a 24th colocacao.


Mais...


Chileans involved with the sport are encouraged by the approval of the FEI to allow the country to host the Pan and have begun to organize preparations

Extra information official confirmed that Chile will host the next Pan-American Championship Endurance, which happens every two years. The event will take place in Santo Domingo in 2011, still no date set, but is slated to happen in April.

The Pan-American Championship is a competition for the endurance rider all nations of the Americas. The last edition was held this year in Uruguay at Haras La Perseverancia in Costa Azul. In 2005, who was hosted Argentina in Pinamar, then in 2007 took place in Brazil in Campinas.

In this year of 2009, Brazil had a very positive performance, only Rafael Salvador (Brazil), with Califa Tamm and Lucas Maia (Sao Paulo), which have mounted HMA Jackpot joy among young people. Rafael got the 4th place and Luke 5. Nick Lins, among adults, mounted NNL Zhest and finished with 24 th place.

More...

Australia: Alexandra Toft Top Junior Rider

AERA.asn.au

11/30/09

Alexandra Toft has been honored as the Equestrian Australia (Queensland) Junior Rider of the Year 2009.

14-year-old Alexandra has ridden in many countries around the world, most recently finishing 17th in The Junior World Championships in Hungary on the 6th of September, and following that up with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, USA to participate in the Kentucky Cup on October 14, the pre-ride for the 2010 WEG.

Alexandra summed up her evening in her blog on Toftendurance.com.au.

New Zealand: 2010 Endurance National Championships

NZEquestrian.org.nz

30/11/2009

Endurance National Championship Event 2010
Culverden - North Canterbury

This National event will be held over the Easter Holiday period 1st April to 4th April. Culverden is a small rural community surrounded by some beautiful farm land offering excellent riding.

As with all championships, sponsorship is a key in helping to make this a memorable event for you the riders. If you would like to assist with sponsorship in any way e.g. a rug, prize etc or you know of someone who would be interested, then please contact: our O.C.

Chairman, Paul Cooper Ph: 03 3144990 or email Paul at paulandlynley@hotmail.com

For the ride schedule, and more information, see NZEquestrian.org.nz

FEI backtracks over bute and delays rule implementation to 5 April

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news
1 December, 2009

New rules allowing painkillers like bute to be used on horses during competition will not come into force until next April.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has backtracked on the plans following worldwide uproar over the new rules, due to come into force on 1 January 2010.

Instead, the new Equine Prohibited Substance List and the accompanying regulations — which allow bute, aspirin and flunixin, along with several other equine drugs to be used in competition — will come in on 5 April 2010.

Announcing the delay this afternoon, FEI president Princess Haya said:...

More...

Bahrain: Riders set for endurance test

Gulf-daily-news.com

Monday, November 30, 2009


BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa approved the programme of Saturday's 100-km Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The event, which is the third this season, will be organised by Breef and is sponsored by Swiss Bahrain Holding Company.

The veterinary examinations are set for Saturday between 3.30am to 5am at the village's veterinary area in Sakhir.

The 100-km ride will then begin at 5.30am while the two qualifying rides, which are over 85 kms and 60 kms, will start at 6am.

Registration for the event opens today at Breef and will continue until race day.

Those who wish to follow up the progress of all three rides may log in to Al Fursan's webiste www.alfurrsan.com.

Shaikh Khalid earlier announced that the winner of the 100-km ride would be awarded a grand prize of an SUV four-wheel drive.

He said that the previous races and qualifying events held in recent weeks revealed the immense talent and capabilities of Bahrain's riders and the care they receive from their respective stables.

Meanwhile, the veterinary and ground jury committees were formed. Breef's general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi was chosen head of the ground jury committee.

Other committee members are Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Klaiti, Ali Ghuloom, Fahad Al Rumaihi and foreign commissioner Haider Al Zu'bi of Jordan.

International commissioners for Saturday's rides are Mahmood Abdulsaheb and technical representative Mohammed Dadulla.

The veterinary committee is being headed by Breef's assistant general secretary Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan while Saudi Arabia's Dr Mohammed Al Hammad is the foreign veterinarian representative.

Veterinary clinic and laboratory includes Dr Farida Abdulrazzaq of Bahrain, Dr Milo Canabo of the Dominican Republic, Mirghani Jilani of Bahrain, Ahmed Dhaif of Bahrain and Stefan Banks of France.

New Zealand: Endurance riders hit the beach

Horsetalk.co.nz - Article, Photos, and Results

November 30, 2009

Nine-year-old Jorja James stole the show on her classy endurance pony Glenvar Kit Kat at the Mount Linton Endurance Club's ride at Sandy Point yesterday.

The combination, which has been together only since Easter this year, had an impressive completion in the 80km Open Junior ride, winning the division and Kit Kat also taking out the best conditioned junior horse title.

Run over two 40km loops, the course took riders along the surf and sand at Oreti Beach and through forestry and river-side tracks.

Damp and windy conditions cleared to leave a good riding temperature and no horses suffered any metabolic stresses.

More...

Spain: 2010 V Raid Kaliber Tierras de al-Andalus

www.tierrasdeal-andalus.com



Las etapas para el V Raid Kaliber Tierras de al-Andalus han sido anunciados. Las fechas son 10 al 18 de abril.

The V Raid Kaliber Tierras de al-Andalus stages. It will be from 10th to 18th of April.

Etapas/Stages:

• 1st etapa/stage, 10 de abril: Cazorla-Ubeda
• 2nd etapa/stage, 11 de abril: Linares-Andujar
• 3rd etapa/stage, 12 de abril: Andujar-Montoro
• 4th etapa/stage, 13 de abril: Montoro- Cordoba
• 14 de abril: Descanso y traslado a Palma del Rio (rest and transfer)
• 5th etapa/stage, 15 de abril: Palma del Rio-Carmona
• 6th etapa/stage, 16 de abril: Carmona-Dos Hermanas
• 7th etapa/stage, 17 de abril: Italica (Santiponce)-El Rocio
• 8th etapa/stage, 18 de abril: El Rocio-Sanlucar de Bda.

FEI president Princess Haya defends controversial drug rule

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article
By Pippa Cuckson
Published: 6:24PM GMT 27 Nov 2009

The levels at which controversial anti-inflammatories can be tolerated in equine sport were advised by team vets from Germany and USA, two of the federations that spoke against them, it has emerged.

In a letter defending last week's vote by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), its president HRH Princess Haya stressed the right of the majority to decide - the substances were approved by 53-48, with most European federations voting against.

Princess Haya said the levels were in line with those applied for non-steroidal anti inflammatory (NSAID) use in humans by the World Anti Doping Agency and had been advised by "experienced national team veterinarians".

The aim was to enable supervised treatment no more than 12 hours before competition so that the medication was 'performance restoring' rather than 'performance enhancing'.

Europe, which organises 80 per cent of world equestrian sport, has damned the move.

Princess Haya was replying to a letter from Prof Leo Jeffcott and other distinguished international veterinary surgeons who urged a re-think on the FEI's newly approved "progressive" medications list which they feared would lead to horse abuse.

More...

FEI painkillers rules contradicts their research in 2004

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor
26 November, 2009

Horse & Hound has uncovered paperwork that shows the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) decision to allow horses to compete on painkillers is in direct contradiction to research they undertook five years ago.

At the 2004 FEI General Assembly national federations agreed to cut the allowable level of salicylates (asprin) from the level they are now proposing because they believed it was open to abuse by "topping up".

In the release from 2004 the FEI says: "The 2004 FEI General Assembly agreed to change the threshold for salicylates, in line with the proposals submitted by the Veterinary Committee.

"The previous thresholds for salicylates were 750 µg/ml in urine and 6.5 µg/ml in plasma. Experiences in testing had indicated that abuse of salicylates was possible, obtaining a clinical effect in the horse by administration of low doses without exceeding the threshold."

More...

British vets say bute in competition will lead to 'catastrophic injuries'

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news
25 November, 2009

Leading equine vets in Britain have slammed a decision to allow horses to compete on painkillers. They say using bute on a competition horse could lead to "catastrophic injuries".

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) says the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) decision to allow six medications in competition is an "extremely retrograde step for horse welfare".

"This decision obscures the distinction between therapy and subjecting unsound horses to the stresses of competition," said a statement from the group of leading horse vets.

"Furthermore, we have grave concerns that horses competing while under treatment with pain-relieving medicines, are at an increased risk of musculo-skeletal lesions progressing to catastrophic injuries."

As part of its so-called "clean sport programme" the FEI decided last week to allow six substances — many of which are painkilling — to be used during competition.

Before that, the FEI has always had a "zero tolerance" policy on drugs in sport, and the about-turn caused outrage.

More...

Aachen takes a stand for clean horse sport and will not allow bute

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news
25 November, 2009

One of the most prestigious events in the horse sport calendar has been the first to take a stand against the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) rule to allow bute in competition.

Horses will not be allowed to compete at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen in Germany next year if they have been given bute or any of the other five controversial substances permitted by the FEI last week.

"We do not want unsound or injured horses in our sport," said Michael Mronz, general manager of the Aachener Reitternier GmbH.

"The CHIO Aachen 2010 will not be carried out on the basis of the current FEI regulations, but according to the ethics of clean sport."

More...

Senior vets demand Princess Haya reopens 'bute debate'

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news
25 November, 2009

British vets say bute in competition will lead to 'catastrophic injuries'

Senior vets from around the world have written to FEI president Princess Haya condemning the decision to allow medication in competition horses.

The letter has been written by Prof Leo Jeffcott and signed by leading vets from the UK, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Finland.

"We believe a decision has been made that was premature, ill-considered and seriously retrograde," say the equine vets. "This decision will have a serious and negative effect on welfare and profound repercussions for equestrian sport."

More...

World of equestrianism dismayed after FEI take 'bute' off banned list

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

By Pippa Cuckson
19 Nov 2009

The controlled use of phenylbutazone ("bute"), banned 20 years ago, and two other anti-inflammatories will be allowed in competition after the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) voted to reintroduce them by 53-42, to audible gasps of dismay from the floor.

Major equestrian federations including the USA, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland spoke passionately against the move at the FEI's General Assembly in Copenhagen yesterday, but with many third countries emerging in the sport with limited expertise in the management of the soundness of top class competition horses, the argument against was always going to be difficult to win.

A wide package of anti-doping reforms were passed by 90 votes to eight, but the controversy lay in the separate choice between continuing with the current list of prohibited substances, and adopting a "progressive list."

The latter does not prohibit phenylbutazone (up to 8 mcg/ml in plasma or serum), three times the level tolerated in the 1980s before the ban, salicyclic acid (up to 750mcg/ml in urine and up to 6.5 mcg/ml in plasma or serum) and flunixin (up to 500 mcg/ml in plasma or serum,) so long as those substances are not detected in a horse's sample above the prescribed limits noted and are used in isolation and not combined.

More...

Petition against the FEI - "Progressive List"

A petition was started on 23 November 2009 opposing the "Progressive List" of substances approved by the FEI for the welfare of the horse, at the FEI's General Assembly in Copenhagen on 18 November. This list allows, among other previously banned substances, the use of "Bute" in certain amounts and two other anti-inflammatories, as part of the FEI's "Clean Sport" campaign.

The vote which approved the Progessive List caused shockwaves throughout the horse world.

Frank Kemperman, FEI Dressage Committee chairman and CHIO Aachen show director said, "In an attempt to improve the situation, it went completely insane. They now have allowed limits of a certain substance that can make a lame horse go sound. This has never been the intention."

German NF secretary-general Sonke Lauterbach called it "a disaster" and said "it is a clear step backwards on our way to a clean equestrian sport. The Progressive List does not answer to our image of healthy, unmanipulated horses in competition."

In the U.S., AERC president Connie Caudill commented: " It would be hard for me to think that this vote was pushed through from the endurance world. I am certain the US endurance world had nothing to do with pushing this new ruling through. As far as I can see the US (especially when it comes to endurance) has very little, if any, influence on FEI anyway. FEI is made up of many different equine disciplines that are not accustomed to endurance strict drug rules, so it is my belief that some of these may have influenced the FEI decision. It is unfortunate for FEI's equines long term welfare as they will suffer because of this ruling. I [am] confident AERC members will continue to do what is best for their horses long term health in keeping them virtually drug free during competition as our horses always come first."


A partial list of the drugs on the "Progressive List" and their amounts can be seen in this article in the Telegraph.co.uk.

The Petition against the FEI "Progressive List" can be seen at www.no-fei.com. The petition will remain on-line at least until mid-December. After that, the signatures will be printed out and sent to the FEI.

"The signatories, ask the Federation Equestrian International not to apply the resolutions of the so called 'Progressive List'. It violates animal welfare to allow a horse to show in a competition although it needs painkillers. We request the FEI to immediately put their focus back on the welfare of the horse."