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."

Bahrain: Shaikh Hamdan invited to endurance races

Gulf-daily-news.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa sent an open invitation to Dubai deputy ruler Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum to take part in endurance horse ride events in Bahrain this season.

The invitation followed the successful participation of Shaikh Nasser at the 120km Endurance Horsride Championship held last Saturday in Dubai where Shaikh Nasser took joint victory with Shaikh Hamdan.

During the ride, Shaikh Nasser took part under Fazza Endurance Team from the UAE and managed to complete the race in four hours, 46 minutes and 10 seconds to share with Shaikh Hamdan the top prize of the day which was for Dubai Endurance City Cup.

Commenting on the Dubai ride, Shaikh Nasser said he was surprised with the high speed averages of the riders, especially at the closing stages which featured speed average of 27km per hour despite the hot and humid weather conditions.

Shaikh Nasser said he was honoured to represent Fazza Endurance Team and wear their jerseys in the event, highlighting the strong ties linking Bahrain and the UAE in equestrian sports.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee president also thanked UAE's Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for inviting him to take part in the ride which he described as a huge success.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed pride over Shaikh Nasser's victory.

Shaikh Khalid praised the outstanding performance of Shaikh Nasser at the five-stage ride and wished him success in future events.

Bahrain: Support for FEI chief

Gulf-daily-news.com

Wednesday, November 25, 2009


BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday vowed his support to Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan to maintain her post as International Equestrian Federation (FEI) president.

Shaikh Khalid, chairman of the seventh group at the FEI, headed the Bahrain delegation at the FEI's extraordinary general assembly meeting held in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he approved a new law forbidding steroids in equestrian sport.

Commenting after the meeting, Shaikh Khalid said that the decision will serve equestrian sports in the world through protecting all horses from using steroids which may affect their health conditions.

Shaikh Khalid said other members of the group also voted against the adoption of new statutes for the restructuring of the FEI Bureau, the current governing body.

One hundred and two national federations were represented, 85 in person. Out of 98 valid votes cast, there were 49 against, 48 in favor and one abstention.

The FEI also condemned all training methods and practices that are contrary to horse welfare. The welfare of the horse has always been at the core of every aspect of the federation's work as the international governing body for equestrian sport, it said.

Christine Yeoman: suspension from endurance competition lifted

HorseandHound.co.uk
Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor
24 November, 2009

Endurance rider Christine Yeoman may compete in international competition once more after a provisional ban was lifted by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) on 16 November.

In a statement Mrs Yeoman said she was "delighted", adding: "I am not guilty of any wrongdoing and feel this is a very positive step towards clearing my name."

A spokesman for the FEI told H&H that although the temporary suspension had been lifted a final decision is still to be made by the FEI tribunal.

Mrs Yeoman was suspended after her horse Forest tested positive for the banned substance ractopamine at Euston Park on 9 August.

She suggested a contaminated tub of the equine antacid Neigh Lox had caused the positive test (news, 12 November).

A spokesman for Saracen, who distribute Neigh Lox in the UK, said discussions were still ongoing with the American manufacturers and he could not confirm if the substance had caused Forest to test positive.

Canary Islands: Iban Fernandez revalidated his triumph

Ecuestreonline.com - Full Article

Iban Fernandez, ganador el pasado ano en La Palma, revalido el oro en el Campeonato de Canarias de Raid en la categoria de Adultos. Jonathan Morera y Samuel Santos completaron el podio. La categoria absoluta se disputo sobre 120 kilometros de recorrido en las pistas forestales del Monte de La Esperanza.

El jinete palmero Iban Fernandez con su angloarabe 'Dakan' se proclamo Campeon de Canarias Absoluto de Raid, en un acto que tuvo lugar en el Centro Hipico Altoana (La Esperanza) despues de que la Comision Veterinaria de la prueba realizara el ultimo control veterinario a los caballos clasificados...

Iban Fernandez, winner of last year in La Palma, Spain retained the gold in the Canary Raid Championship in the category of Adult. Jonathan Morera and Samuel Santos completed the podium. The absolute level was played over 120 miles of trail in the forest trails of Mount Hope.

The rider Iban Palma Fernandez with Anglo-Arab "Dakan" was proclaimed Champion Raid Absolute Canary in a ceremony held at the Equestrian Center Altoana (The Hope) after the Veterinary Commission conduct the ultimate test for veterinary control classifieds horses...

Mas...

Brazil: Compeonato Brasileiro Dia 05 de Dezembro em Brasilia

The Brazilian Championship 2* and 3* FEI International Competition will be held on 5th December at the Brasilia Country Club. It will be Step 6 of the Championship Enduro
Equestre do Distrito Federal 2009 Equestrian Federal District 2009.

There will be a 160 km CEI 3*, 122 km CEI / CEIYJ 2*, and a 88 km CEI / CEIYJ 1*.

More information can be found at Endurancebrasil.com.br

FEI vice president publicly slams decision to allow bute in sport

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

19 November, 2009

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news, in Denmark

The vice president of the FEI has publicly slammed the decision taken today to re-introduce bute into horse sport.

Sven Holmberg addressed the 102 national federations gathered in Copenhagen for the FEI's general assembly just before he was voted to remain chair of the show jumping committee.

"I support 100% the clean sport programme but the progressive list cuts the legs off that," he said to a quietened room.

"It allows treatment of horses in competition, and it will be rejected by the social media."

Mr Holmberg, who is number two to Princess Haya, FEI president, added: "If you thought recent media reaction against rollkur has been tough, just wait to see what happens with this.

More...