Horse racing body slammed over lenient treatment of Bahrain Sheikh

Arabianbusiness.com - Full Article

By Courtney Trenwith
Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Horse racing’s world governing body has been lambasted by its own tribunal for failing to adequately punish a wealthy Arab Sheikh whose horse was repeatedly beaten during two international endurance races.

According to International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules, Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s royal family, should have been automatically disqualified from winning the King’s Cup in Bahrain in February after his groom ran onto the race track and struck his tiring horse several times in the closing stages of the 80-mile race, The Telegraph reported.

The incident was not reviewed by the federation until video footage was unwittingly posted by the event’s own broadcaster, attracting international condemnation.

Sheikh Mohammed was given a yellow warning card, fined 500 Swiss francs ($534) and suspended for the few remaining weeks of the Middle East winter horse racing season.

During his first race back on May 23, Sheikh Mohammed’s horse was again beaten while racing and suspended for two months...

Read more here:
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/horse-racing-body-slammed-over-lenient-treatment-of-bahrain-sheikh-564840.html

Endurance racing horse abuse case produces ground-breaking ruling against governing body

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

Tribunal finds FEI failed correctly to disqualify rider Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa from winning King’s Cup in Bahrain after groom struck tiring horse

By Telegraph Sport
16 Sep 2014

A formal protest by two journalists – the Telegraph's Pippa Cuckson and Lucy Higginson, former editor of Horse & Hound – over a horse-beating incident during an endurance race has resulted in a ground-breaking ruling against the sport’s governing body by one of its own tribunals.

It found that judges from the International Equestrian Federation failed correctly to disqualify rider Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa from winning the prestigious King’s Cup in Bahrain in February, when his groom ran onto the “field of play” and struck his tiring horse several times in the closing stages of the 80-mile leg of a desert ride.

It also dismissed the FEI’s claim that under “double jeopardy” an earlier punishment against the rider could not be reassessed.

Video footage unwittingly posted by the event’s own broadcaster the same day as the ride caused public outcry worldwide when the incident came to light. The incriminating pictures were seen next day by delegates at a global forum in Lausanne to discuss a clean-up of endurance racing, which is stricken with doping, horse fatality and cheating scandals...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/11098331/Endurance-racing-horse-abuse-case-produces-ground-breaking-ruling-against-governing-body.html

Ace rider Morgan lands UK accolade

Antrimtimes.co.uk - Full Article

15 September 2014

Morgan Skillen, a Year 11 student at Antrim Grammar School and member of Mid Antrim Pony Club has won first place at the Pony Club UK Championships at Cholmonodeley Castle, Cheshire in Endurance Riding.

Morgan qualified at the St Patricks Coast Ride in April this year and since then she has been training daily and attending Endurance Events in order to maintain her own stamina and her pony Mayo’s fitness.

After all the blood, sweat, tears and dedicated relentless training it all came together at the Championships and gave Morgan her first win in this discipline.

Mayo was none the worse for wear after a 10-hour journey and, following a full day’s rest, he passed his Vet tests with flying colours and they both took off.

After 2hours 54minutes they came home after trekking, galloping, climbing and trotting across 34kilometres...

Read more here:
http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/sport/other-local-sport/ace-rider-morgan-lands-uk-accolade-1-6296167

2014 WEG: Record edition with 565,000 spectators

Normandy2014.com

Sunday 07 September 2014 - 19h40

After a second week of top-flight sport and a final weekend boasting exceptional crowds in Caen, the 7th edition of the World Equestrian Games drew to a close in a festive, Olympic village atmosphere. Over 565,000 spectators attended the Games, which the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) confirms is a biggest audience since the creation of the event in 1990. A record number of 1,750 journalists from some 52 countries were accredited for the Games, testifying to the global appeal of this major equestrian sport meeting. This augurs well for the next edition in 2018, as the FEI hands on the torch to Canada during this evening’s closing ceremony.
Record edition with 565,000 spectators © PSV Photos

For the Normandie 2014 Organising Committee, their mission is virtually complete. The past two weeks have seen moments of great satisfaction and fantastic surprises, as well as difficulties overcome and a few moments of sadness. A full evaluation of the Games will be made in th coming weeks to measure its impact on the region. The first elements (notably the hotel occupancy ratio and consumption by spectators, half of whom were French) show that the public has been out in force at the Normandy meeting, continuing the momentum initiated by the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings, and have also followed the event on television around the world.

Laurent Beauvais, President of the Normandie 2014 Organising Committee, “We were very proud to organise this event with and for the Normans in the way we have and we include the whole equestrian family in our endeavours.”

HRH Princess Haya, President of the FEI, “Its incredible success on the social networks made these World Equestrian Games the most connected in history. It was also the loudest (laughs): the athletes all say that they’ve never received so much applause and support”.

Pearce Lyons, President of Alltech, “The World Equestrian Games have changed my life and my company. We’ve seen our brand do a tour of the globe! We are very happy with these Games in Normandy, not to mention the delicious French cuisine! (laughs).”

Fabien Grobon, Director of the Normandie 2014 Organising Committee, “The sporting excellence, the popular success and Normandy’s equine network all made their presence felt at these Games!” »

International level equestrian sport offered to the public

It is one of the major aims of any sporting event, to ensure the athletes have the best possible conditions with which to fully express themselves in their performances. In Normandy, across 7 different and largely unique venues, some 27 titles have crowned the top riders in 8 world championships. Their comments and their feedback for the delegation officials have been positive, as much in terms of the welcome (horses and teams), as the organisation of the competitions and the atmosphere in the stadiums. The proximity to the public, which has been a priority since the initial preparation of the events by the Organising Committee, has brought the multitude of sporting highlights to life. Spectators delighted in the achievements of the top riders from their ringside seats in venues fitted out especially for the event with giant screens and spirited commentary.

A celebration of the world’s equestrian cultures

Over 200,000 people have graced the Games Village, some coming along to continue their emotionally-charged day of sport, others simply wishing to benefit from the ‘Olympic’ atmosphere or the Alltech Music Festival concerts. The opening ceremony itself, a sensitive creation and a genuine work of art, which won public acclaim, played to a full house (21,000 spectators). Enjoying the close-knit relationship, which has always existed, men and women and their horses, spectators, athletes and organisers have come together to open and close the page of the Games’ story in Normandy.

Emotional finale to 2014 World Equestrian Games

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Princess Haya thanks Normandy and France at closing ceremony

By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer
Published: 15:51 September 9, 2014

Dubai: Emotions ran high as the curtain came down on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games bringing to an end two weeks of unparalleled horse-riding at the historic city of Normandy, France.

Besides the breath-taking action, the seventh edition of the Games which were launched in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden, will be best remembered for establishing several records not least the highest participation and attendance.

Horsemen representing a record 74 nations, an increase of 25 per cent on the last Games in 2010, were watched by over 570,000 spectators while the FEI’s YouTube Channel exceeded over 5.5 million views during the Games.
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Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/emotional-finale-to-2014-world-equestrian-games-1.1382816

FEI President is made Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour

FEI.org

6 Sep 2014

FEI President HRH Princess Haya was today made Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest distinction.

Laurent Fabius, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, presented HRH Princess Haya with the Legion of Honour insignia in the Prefecture of Caen (FRA), the main host city of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014.

Addressing international media and over 100 guests at the special ceremony in the magnificent setting of the Gold Salon (Salon doré), he cited HRH Princess Haya’s career as an Olympic athlete, her contribution to equestrian sport as FEI President and her success in bringing the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 to Normandy.

He also charted HRH Princess Haya’s extensive and well-documented humanitarian efforts in some of the harshest parts of the world.

“You are a remarkable person,” Laurent Fabius said. “Due to the inspiration you have given to many people over the years, through your sporting and humanitarian efforts, France is extremely happy to pronounce you Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.”

“I accept this honour on behalf of all of my colleagues at the Fédération Equestre Internationale and everyone who contributed to the success of the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, including the 3,000 French volunteers and the wonderful people of this region, who welcomed the equestrian world to their home,” Princess Haya said in her acceptance speech.

“I accept this honour on behalf of the dedicated humanitarian aid workers that I encounter in my travels as a UN Messenger of Peace - the selfless healthcare workers from Médecins Sans Frontières, the humanitarians from the World Food Programme, and so many other committed people who serve those in need long after I have returned to the comforts of my home.

“I accept this honour knowing that I have done so little to earn it, but inspired to do more in my limited capacity to advocate for a more equitable, more compassionate and a more peaceful future. I am deeply grateful,” she concluded.

Princess Haya follows in the footsteps of her late father, HM King Hussein I, who accepted the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour in 1967.

Since its creation in 1802 by then-First Consul and later Emperor of the French Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour has been awarded to historic personalities such as the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi; Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey; Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States and Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II; Queen Elizabeth II; former Polish President Lech Wałęsa; and Akihito, the reigning Emperor of Japan.

The list of prestigious recipients also includes American animator, producer, director, screenwriter, and philanthropist Walt Disney; one of the greatest writers of the 20th century Graham Greene; Belgian Eddy Merckx, one of the best cyclists of all time; Italian philosopher and novelist Umberto Eco; Canadian singer Céline Dion; French mountaineer and Minister of Sport Maurice Herzog, an IOC member until his death in 2012; and American musician, singer-songwriter, artist, and writer Bob Dylan.

Former FEI Presidents HRH Prince Philip and HRH Prince Bernhard both held the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.

Compiegne Horse Death Case Closed; Transparency in Question

September 8 2014
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

Following the Open Letter to Endurance by French veterinarians, Doctors Pelissier, Seguin, Benamou-Smith, Romantzoff, and Leclerc, concerning high speeds, "tired over-run horses in the vetgates", high number of treatments required, attempts to "cheat systematically" by some competitors, and in particular the death of one mare at the May 2014 Compiegne endurance races, this group of veterinarians has responded to the FEI's investigation into the horse's death.

Of the mare Elmerita di Gallura's death FEI concluded, "results from the anti-doping test are negative and the post-mortem examination did not explain the cause of death."

Veterinarians Benamou-Smith, Pelissier, Romantzoff, and Sequin express strong objection to this apparent dismissal of the incident, and do not accept that the FEI, "whose self-professed mission is to lead an enquiry into the death of a competing horse, produces such a statement. In order to show a real transparency (the key factor in 'clean sport') in ethics and sports, the complete scientific results of these tests, which are known to the FEI since June, should to [sic] be published."

The veterinarians can't help but draw a parallel to another horse in the 2012 Florac race, which "died in very strange clinical circumstances. The horse was sampled post-mortem at the venue. No less than 21 controlled substances were identified by the french MCP (medication control program) laboratory LCH." However, the veterinarians are still waiting for the FEI to release the results of these samples from 2 years ago.

Another mare from the same stables as Elmerita di Gallura was also treated at the May Compiegne ride and received invasive treatment because she was metabolically compromised. In such cases, FEI has instituted mandatory rest periods for the safety and well-being of the horses; and in this case, the mare was entered to race in Italy 17 days later, without being blocked by FEI, "which defies official mandatory rest periods and common sense."

While FEI has publicly expressed their intention and campaign to fight doping, and to have a "clean sport," these incidences continue to show the great distance between expressed intent and execution, and the reputation of the sport of endurance suffers while the horses continue to pay the price.

The French veterinarians insist that the FEI live up to their "transparency" goals. "Although the intention expressed by the FEI to fight doping has never seemed stronger, we still have the feeling that actions are not yet sufficient to attain the declared objectives."

See the complete letter here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013FEIControversy/Lettre_Compiegne2.pdf