UAE welcome back when they follow rules, says FEI vice-president

Insidethegames.biz - Full Article

Wednesday, 18 March 2015
By Emily Goddard at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami

John Madden, first vice-president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), has said the United Arab Emirates will be "perfectly welcome" back into the sport when it shows exactly how it will follow the rules.

The FEI Bureau, chaired by President Ingmar De Vos, unanimously agreed to suspend the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) last month following an investigation into "major horse welfare issues" and allegedly faked results in endurance events.

The immediate ban means the nation "may not attend or be represented at any session or meeting of any body of the FEI, may not organise any international events, and its members cannot participate in any international events".

It also follows a move at the beginning of the month to strip the UAE of two endurance races scheduled to be held later this month.

However, Madden, who is also chair of the FEI jumping committee, made clear the nation can come back into competition when it provides evidence of change.

"It's very sad that we've had to suspend the United Arab Emirates Federation," he told insidethegames here at SPORTELAmerica.

"But they are welcome back in the FEI at any time when they can demonstrate to us and explain to us exactly how they are going to protect horse welfare and following the FEI rules.

"It's not good enough to say yes we are going to do it they need to demonstrate exactly how...

Read more here:
http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/equestrian/1026218-uae-welcome-back-when-they-follow-rules-says-fei-vice-president

Australian Endurance Team Support Personnel Appointments

Equestrian.org.au

Posted by Equestrian Australia on 17/03/2015

The following individuals have been appointed to key support personnel positions within the Australian Endurance Team. The appointments are for a four year term which will conclude following the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Chef d'Equipe

Andrew Kettlewell – NSW

Assistance Chef d'Equipe

Tom McCormack – NSW

Equestrian Australia can also confirm National Endurance Selectors appointments, which are also for a four year term.

National Selectors

Anne Barnes – WA – Chair
Patricia Mackay – NSW
Jane McLaughlin – VIC
Alamdar Dastani – NSW

Congratulations to the abovenamed individuals on their appointments.

Britain backs endurance stance; FEI spells out details of UAE suspension

Horsetalk.co.nz | March 18, 2015

Endurance officials in Britain have voiced support for the FEI in its efforts to sort out the issues in the sport which led to last week’s suspension of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Their backing came as the world governing body spelt out the practical implications of the suspension.

The FEI suspended the UAE over what it said were welfare concerns and non-compliance with its rules and regulations in endurance. The suspension would remain in place until the UAE was able to satisfy the FEI it could meet the standards required.

The chairman of Britain’s endurance board, John Hudson, said on Tuesday that the endurance board supported the FEI fully in its determination to ensure endurance was properly regulated and that its code of conduct for the welfare of horses was always respected.

“We hope that the necessary changes are made to the FEI’s satisfaction,” Hudson sad.

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FEI Clarifies Details of UAE National Federation Suspension

March 17 2015

Sabrina Zeender, Secretary General of the FEI has sent a letter to the National Federations clarifying the details of the unprecedented suspension 12 March 2015 of the United Arab Emirates Equestrian Federation from FEI, due to major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in endurance.

The letter outlines all aspects of the suspension, including what UAE athletes and officials can and cannot do, whether in endurance or other disciplines; prohibiting the UAE from organizing any International events in any discipline; and prohibiting the UAE flag from being displayed at any venue or event during the suspension.

The entire letter can be see here.

The entire archives of the "FEI Controversy" since 2013 can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013FEIControversy/

Great Britain: Crabbet Organisation celebrates Endurance success

Endurancegb.co.uk

- (Published:16 March 2015)

The Crabbet Organisation celebrated its first Endurance awards for Crabbet or Crabbet related Arabians who had competed with Endurance GB, SERC or the FEI during 2014, or the young stock graded by the BEF at Futurity events.

In its first year 30 horses applied for the new awards introduced by new committee member Rachael Claridge who herself has a 100% Crabbet Arabian stallion and competed for Team GBR as a Young and Senior rider with Crabbet related gelding Silver Mistrahl. The formula for the pilot awards encouraged Crabbet Organisation members to submit their horses’ endurance master cards or futurity scorecards at the end of the 2014 season. The highest mileage horses were then recognised in the Novice, Open, Advanced and FEI categories. Special categories were also recognised for Young Riders who had ridden Crabbet or Crabbet related horses during 2014, young stock graded on their potential to become endurance horses and also former committee members were thanked officially for their voluntary contribution.

The Compass Inn's stunning Orangery, near Badminton, Gloucestershire was the venue for the awards held on Saturday 28th February. Forty members travelled from across the country to attend the event which was generously supported by The Pure Feed Company, Ariat Europe, Brinicombe Equine, Verm-x, Blue Chip Feed, Horse Scout and West Kington Stud.

Endurance GB Board member Jo Claridge, AHS President Anne Brown and The Pure Feed Company founder Lou Talintyre presented the awards (follow link to full results). Chair of the Crabbet Committee Natalie Tindall thanked former committee members Susan Hawes, Lindsay Thain, Lynne Humphreys and Suzanne Cruise for their voluntary contribution to the small but international breed society and presented them with an Arabian horse belt buckle.

For full results and more information about the 2015 Crabbet Organisation Endurance Achievement Awards or for membership queries please contact info@rachaelclaridge.com or telephone 01454 238942
and see http://endurancegb.co.uk/main/news#2015031601

Rachael Claridge

Wardrobe malfunction in the FEI over endurance

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Neil Clarkson | March 16, 2015

There’s something just a little mysterious about the FEI Bureau. Its 18 members wield a lot of power in the world of horse sport, but we never get to see the inner workings, with meetings behind closed doors.

It certainly would have been illuminating to hear the bureau’s recent discussion on the joys of endurance racing in the United Arab Emirates, before its members agreed unanimously to suspend the UAE Equestrian Federation.

The FEI, after endless months of grinding diplomacy during its endurance rule reform process, has shown some welcome mettle.

The world governing body said the suspension followed an investigation by the FEI into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with its rules and regulations in endurance.

Followers of endurance don’t need to be reminded about the storm of controversy around the death of Splitters Creek Bundy as a result of two broken legs in a race in Abu Dhabi late in January, or the big questions that now swirl around a dozen races in the UAE after duplicated results were revealed by British equestrian writer Pippa Cuckson.

So, let us tip our riding helmets to the FEI for its decisive, if belated, action. But, it is hard to escape the conclusion that the world governing body has, to a fair degree, been caught with its pants down in this latest round of endurance controversy...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/03/16/wardrobe-malfunction-fei-over-endurance/

Abdulla Al Marri 'shocked' by FEI decision to ban entire Emirates Equestrian Federation

by Reem Abulleil
Sunday 15 March 2015

Showjumper Abdulla Al Marri has described the decision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to suspend the entire Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) over horse welfare and rule infringements in endurance events as “ridiculous” and a “slap in the face” to those competing in other disciplines.

The FEI announced last Thursday their decision in an official statement posted on their website that read: “The FEI Bureau has suspended the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates for an indeterminate period following an investigation by the FEI into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in the discipline of Endurance.

“The Bureau, chaired by FEI President Ingmar De Vos, was unanimous in its decision.”

The suspension entails that the UAE will not be allowed to host any international equestrian meets. All UAE endurance riders are banned from international events, apart from national competitions, while Emirati riders in other disciplines may compete internationally but only under the neutral FEI flag.

Al Marri, who has represented the UAE in showjumping in countless international shows including last year’s Asian Games, finds the decision shocking and unfair to the jumping community.

“We don’t follow that sport (endurance) as much as ours to be honest. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything like this before, banning an entire federation,” Al Marri told Sport360°.

“It’s something we (showjumpers) had nothing to do with. For us, it’s just a shock.

Why can’t I ride under my country’s flag? They should punish the person responsible. If a showjumper is accused of doping a horse, the rider is involved in it then he or she is punished. Why is that not the case this time?

“It’s ridiculous. Okay, we’re all under one federation but I think it’s drastic that [showjumpers] pay for it.”

While many showjumpers benefit from competing in a host of international shows held in the UAE as part of the Arab League, Al Marri says what hurts the most is not how this affects his calendar, but the fact that he can’t represent the UAE internationally.

“We do this for our country, and the fact that we can’t represent our own country, that’s the most painful thing. Being patriotic is very important to us, especially where we’re from, we’re very proud of where we come from.

“One of the biggest steps in our sport was taken just two weeks ago when Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum won the 5* show in Ghantoot. And suddenly we get this slap in the face.”

De Vos admits the decision was drastic but that the world governing body had no choice.

“The decision to suspend a National Federation is not something that is taken lightly and we only should do this if no other remedy can be found,” De Vos said.

“Sadly, this was the only option left, but we have to take our responsibility and must never be afraid of tackling major issues head-on. Where horse welfare is concerned the FEI has to show leadership and solve problems in a structural way without making any concessions.”

No one from the EEF was available for comment, but they do have 30 days to appeal the decision.

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