Equestrian.org
Posted by Equestrian Australia on 27/02/2015
Equestrian Australia (FEI) welcomes the announcement from the FEI overnight, advising of the removal of UAE international endurance events from the official calendar (see statement HERE).
At a meeting to discuss the recent horse welfare incident involving Australian bred horse ‘Splitters Creek Bundy’ and the current state of horse welfare in endurance internationally, the national endurance committee and EA have resolved to maintain a close dialogue with the FEI and other national federations on this matter.
EA supports the FEI’s course of action in investigating this issue and will continue to push for swift action to ensure horse welfare remains a priority for all sectors of the equestrian community. EA is encouraged by the action taken by the FEI to curb some of the ongoing horse welfare issue through changes to the endurance rules and encourages all national federations to adopt stringent horse welfare protocols at all equestrian events.
EA also remains in contact with the Australian Endurance Riders Association regarding this issue.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Belgium Considers 2016 World Endurance Championships Boycott
Horse-canada.com
February 26, 2015 | 0 comments
by: Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation
The Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation (FRBSE) has released a statement to express their disappointment in the state of endurance racing in the UAE. In it, they urge their members not to participate in any events held in these countries, and note that they may not send a team to the 2016 World Endurance Championships.
To follow is a translated version of the FRBSE’s statement:
The Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation has, for years, worried about the evolution of endurance races (CEN and IEC), and especially in some countries in the Persian Gulf, and regrets the incidents that occurred on January 31st, in Abu Dhabi at the Al Reef Cup, where three horses were killed, including at least one in terrible conditions.
Because the FRBSE finds that it is not a one-off event, they can only conclude that the United Arab Emirates does not estimate correctly the situation, despite the efforts of the FEI, who are making extra efforts to find a positive solution to these abuses through the formation of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group, and Task Force, as well as by making changes to regulations and officials for example.
The FRBSE wishes to state its commitment to participating in a sport where animal welfare and respect for the rules are adhered to. Consequently, pending a complete reversal of the situation, the FRBSE strongly discourages its members from participating in any endurance race organized in one of the countries concerned. At the same time, they are considering whether or not to send a Belgian team to the next World Endurance Championships in 2016, which was awarded to Dubai.
February 26, 2015 | 0 comments
by: Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation
The Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation (FRBSE) has released a statement to express their disappointment in the state of endurance racing in the UAE. In it, they urge their members not to participate in any events held in these countries, and note that they may not send a team to the 2016 World Endurance Championships.
To follow is a translated version of the FRBSE’s statement:
The Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation has, for years, worried about the evolution of endurance races (CEN and IEC), and especially in some countries in the Persian Gulf, and regrets the incidents that occurred on January 31st, in Abu Dhabi at the Al Reef Cup, where three horses were killed, including at least one in terrible conditions.
Because the FRBSE finds that it is not a one-off event, they can only conclude that the United Arab Emirates does not estimate correctly the situation, despite the efforts of the FEI, who are making extra efforts to find a positive solution to these abuses through the formation of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group, and Task Force, as well as by making changes to regulations and officials for example.
The FRBSE wishes to state its commitment to participating in a sport where animal welfare and respect for the rules are adhered to. Consequently, pending a complete reversal of the situation, the FRBSE strongly discourages its members from participating in any endurance race organized in one of the countries concerned. At the same time, they are considering whether or not to send a Belgian team to the next World Endurance Championships in 2016, which was awarded to Dubai.
FEI removes UAE international Endurance events from official calendar
26 Feb 2015
FEI.org
Following the first meeting of the new FEI Executive Board, chaired by recently elected President Ingmar De Vos, Secretary General Sabrina Zeender has removed the two remaining international Endurance events scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March 2015 from the FEI calendar in an emergency measure to protect horse welfare and to preserve the integrity of the FEI rules and regulations at FEI events.
The move follows a mandate from the FEI Bureau to the Executive Board to urgently investigate horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI rules and regulations in the UAE. The Executive Board will now finalise its recommendations to the Bureau.
“We have made this our top priority and will make our conclusions as speedily as possible so that the recommendations can be presented to the Bureau for urgent consideration”, the FEI President said after the meeting, which was held at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
The Executive Board meeting was attended by the FEI President, 1st Vice President and Chair of the Jumping Committee John Madden (USA), 2nd Vice President and Chair of FEI Regional Group VII HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), Chair of the Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman (NED), Chair of the Athletes’ Committee Maria Gretzer (SWE), and FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender (SUI). Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA), Chair of FEI Regional Group VI, was unable to attend due to meetings in Brazil on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The Endurance Rules were strengthened last year specifically to protect and promote horse welfare following recommendations from the Endurance Strategic Planning Group. The widely supported measures include additional dope testing, injury surveillance and reporting, athlete penalties for equine injuries, and extended rest periods. Other measures increase the responsibility and accountability of riders, trainers and officials, as well as steps to address any conflicts of interest.
Notes to Editors:
The removal of international events from the FEI calendar is covered in the FEI General Regulations. Article 112 states: "The Secretary General shall have the authority to remove any Competition and/or Event from the Calendar if justified circumstances relating to a Competition or the Event are established."
FEI.org
Following the first meeting of the new FEI Executive Board, chaired by recently elected President Ingmar De Vos, Secretary General Sabrina Zeender has removed the two remaining international Endurance events scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March 2015 from the FEI calendar in an emergency measure to protect horse welfare and to preserve the integrity of the FEI rules and regulations at FEI events.
The move follows a mandate from the FEI Bureau to the Executive Board to urgently investigate horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI rules and regulations in the UAE. The Executive Board will now finalise its recommendations to the Bureau.
“We have made this our top priority and will make our conclusions as speedily as possible so that the recommendations can be presented to the Bureau for urgent consideration”, the FEI President said after the meeting, which was held at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
The Executive Board meeting was attended by the FEI President, 1st Vice President and Chair of the Jumping Committee John Madden (USA), 2nd Vice President and Chair of FEI Regional Group VII HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), Chair of the Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman (NED), Chair of the Athletes’ Committee Maria Gretzer (SWE), and FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender (SUI). Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA), Chair of FEI Regional Group VI, was unable to attend due to meetings in Brazil on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The Endurance Rules were strengthened last year specifically to protect and promote horse welfare following recommendations from the Endurance Strategic Planning Group. The widely supported measures include additional dope testing, injury surveillance and reporting, athlete penalties for equine injuries, and extended rest periods. Other measures increase the responsibility and accountability of riders, trainers and officials, as well as steps to address any conflicts of interest.
Notes to Editors:
The removal of international events from the FEI calendar is covered in the FEI General Regulations. Article 112 states: "The Secretary General shall have the authority to remove any Competition and/or Event from the Calendar if justified circumstances relating to a Competition or the Event are established."
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Swiss Willing to Boycott 2016 World Endurance Championships in Dubai
February 24 2015
Statement of the Swiss Equestrian Federation regarding various incidents in endurance races
(English version of the Swiss press release)
The Swiss Equestrian Federation SEF is outraged by recent dramatic incidents that have arisen in endurance, especially during the Al Reef Cup in Abu Dhabi. It calls upon the International Equestrian Federation FEI to examine the conditions, both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), to take immediate and effective measures as well as to continue to act accordingly. It is paramount that the welfare of the horse comes first. As the governing body of equestrian sports, the FEI must find ways to enable the application of sanctions against national federations, which tolerate mistreatment during their national races.
Furthermore, the SEF reserves therefore the right under these circumstances to not attend the Elite Endurance World Championships 2016 in Dubai.
In recent weeks the endurance season (group VII of the FEI) in the Middle Eastern countries has been in full swing. Some events left strong traces in the media and on other social platforms and have indicated again in dramatic proportions, that the new regulations of the FEI have not been adopted by all national associations and have respectively not been sufficiently enforced by the FEI officials.
The SVPS is outraged with regard to the horrific events i.e., (multiple fractures in racing, positive doping tests, prohibited manipulations, various rule infringements, as well as too many grooms and vehicles per horse etc...) in various national and international events.
It calls urgently upon the FEI, to take immediate and effective measures and to act accordingly.
Given the dramatic incidents of recent weeks, the Danish Federation has already issued a conditional start ban for its riders on events of the group VII of the FEI. The SVPS also strongly advises its endurance riders not to start in eventual races in these countries. Taking part in such races is currently incompatible with Membership of the Swiss elite team.
Under the circumstances, the SEF finds it at this moment also impossible and incompatible with its mission statement for the welfare of the horse, to participate in the next Elite World Endurance Championships 2016 in Dubai (UAE).
The SEF, therefore, reserves the decision, to not attend the WEC 2016 and to not send any riders.
Additional Information: - Dr. Charles F. Trolliet, President of the Swiss Federation for Equestrian Sports, Tel. +41 79 205 32 91, e-mail: trolliet@swissonline.ch - Dr. Claude Nordmann, International Relations, Swiss Federation for Equestrian Sports Tel. +41 79 353 75 54 E-mail: claude.nordmann@bluewin.ch
Statement of the Swiss Equestrian Federation regarding various incidents in endurance races
(English version of the Swiss press release)
The Swiss Equestrian Federation SEF is outraged by recent dramatic incidents that have arisen in endurance, especially during the Al Reef Cup in Abu Dhabi. It calls upon the International Equestrian Federation FEI to examine the conditions, both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), to take immediate and effective measures as well as to continue to act accordingly. It is paramount that the welfare of the horse comes first. As the governing body of equestrian sports, the FEI must find ways to enable the application of sanctions against national federations, which tolerate mistreatment during their national races.
Furthermore, the SEF reserves therefore the right under these circumstances to not attend the Elite Endurance World Championships 2016 in Dubai.
In recent weeks the endurance season (group VII of the FEI) in the Middle Eastern countries has been in full swing. Some events left strong traces in the media and on other social platforms and have indicated again in dramatic proportions, that the new regulations of the FEI have not been adopted by all national associations and have respectively not been sufficiently enforced by the FEI officials.
The SVPS is outraged with regard to the horrific events i.e., (multiple fractures in racing, positive doping tests, prohibited manipulations, various rule infringements, as well as too many grooms and vehicles per horse etc...) in various national and international events.
It calls urgently upon the FEI, to take immediate and effective measures and to act accordingly.
Given the dramatic incidents of recent weeks, the Danish Federation has already issued a conditional start ban for its riders on events of the group VII of the FEI. The SVPS also strongly advises its endurance riders not to start in eventual races in these countries. Taking part in such races is currently incompatible with Membership of the Swiss elite team.
Under the circumstances, the SEF finds it at this moment also impossible and incompatible with its mission statement for the welfare of the horse, to participate in the next Elite World Endurance Championships 2016 in Dubai (UAE).
The SEF, therefore, reserves the decision, to not attend the WEC 2016 and to not send any riders.
Additional Information: - Dr. Charles F. Trolliet, President of the Swiss Federation for Equestrian Sports, Tel. +41 79 205 32 91, e-mail: trolliet@swissonline.ch - Dr. Claude Nordmann, International Relations, Swiss Federation for Equestrian Sports Tel. +41 79 353 75 54 E-mail: claude.nordmann@bluewin.ch
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Abu Dhabi: 10 cars on offer for endurance rides on weekend
Gulfnews.com - Full Article
Activities for children, families also on anvil
staff reportPublished: 14:07 February 22, 2015
St. Moritz, Switzerland: Ten 4WD cars will be on offer for the top five who finish in next week’s 100-km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup on Friday (February 27) and the 100-km Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup For local Stables (February 28), to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.
The event is being organised by the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs as part of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival with the support of Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak.
Speaking to the media at the Kempinski Hotel in St. Moritz before the third leg of the Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committee in the Int’l Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities ( IFAHR) said: “The top five finishers in each race will drive away a brand new 4WD, bringing the total to 10 cars...”
Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/10-cars-on-offer-for-endurance-rides-on-weekend-1.1460653
Activities for children, families also on anvil
staff reportPublished: 14:07 February 22, 2015
St. Moritz, Switzerland: Ten 4WD cars will be on offer for the top five who finish in next week’s 100-km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup on Friday (February 27) and the 100-km Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup For local Stables (February 28), to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.
The event is being organised by the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs as part of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival with the support of Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak.
Speaking to the media at the Kempinski Hotel in St. Moritz before the third leg of the Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committee in the Int’l Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities ( IFAHR) said: “The top five finishers in each race will drive away a brand new 4WD, bringing the total to 10 cars...”
Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/10-cars-on-offer-for-endurance-rides-on-weekend-1.1460653
Bahrain: Al Khatri claims King's Cup Endurance title
BNA.bh - FUll Article
21/02/2015
Manama, Feb21(BNA) - Fahad Hilal Al Khatri claimed the seniors' category title in the King's Cup Endurance Race Championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) and held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.
The seniors' ride covered a total distance of 120km and juniors' event was for 80km, with the participation of a large number of riders from the Bahrain Royal Team and other local stables, and with the follow-up of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman and Bahrain Athletics Association President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and BREEF President Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
Khatri from Victorious Team was followed by Ghazi Al Dossary from Al Ruood team in second place, while Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa from Al Zaeem Team came third...
Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/655210
21/02/2015
Manama, Feb21(BNA) - Fahad Hilal Al Khatri claimed the seniors' category title in the King's Cup Endurance Race Championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) and held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.
The seniors' ride covered a total distance of 120km and juniors' event was for 80km, with the participation of a large number of riders from the Bahrain Royal Team and other local stables, and with the follow-up of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman and Bahrain Athletics Association President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and BREEF President Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
Khatri from Victorious Team was followed by Ghazi Al Dossary from Al Ruood team in second place, while Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa from Al Zaeem Team came third...
Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/655210
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Australian officials to meet over demise of Splitters Creek Bundy
Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article
Neil Clarkson | February 17, 2015
Senior endurance figures in Australia will meet with board members from Equestrian Australia this week, as the fallout from the death of Splitters Creek Bundy from two broken front legs in an Abu Dhabi endurance race continues.
The Australian-bred horse suffered the fatal injuries late last month in the Al Reef Cup, with harrowing images of his plight before euthanasia causing outrage in the global endurance community...
Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/17/australian-officials-demise-splitters-creek-bundy/
Neil Clarkson | February 17, 2015
Senior endurance figures in Australia will meet with board members from Equestrian Australia this week, as the fallout from the death of Splitters Creek Bundy from two broken front legs in an Abu Dhabi endurance race continues.
The Australian-bred horse suffered the fatal injuries late last month in the Al Reef Cup, with harrowing images of his plight before euthanasia causing outrage in the global endurance community...
Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/17/australian-officials-demise-splitters-creek-bundy/
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