Endurance GB issues statement on catastrophic injuries at UAE ride and underlines rules on British riders competing abroad

Everythinghorseuk.co.uk - Full Article

Endurance GB is calling for the fullest possible investigation by the FEI following Catastrophic Injuries to four horses competing at the CEN 120 km Al Maktoum Cup and CEN 120 km Gamilati Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.

In a statement today, Endurance GB’s new Director of Welfare, Antonia Milner-Matthews, a veterinary surgeon who also competes at International FEI level endurance said:

“Endurance GB’s board and membership have been shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic Catastrophic Injuries that occurred to four horses competing over the weekend. We understand that although this was classified as a National (CEN) ride, there were at least 20 nationalities represented. It is clear that running these events with a very international flavour as CENs is not within the spirit of Article 101 of the FEI’s General Regulations and we have grave concerns that such rides do not carry the level of scrutiny, welfare safeguards or sanctions that are in place at FEI CEI International level competition. We are calling on the FEI to review this. While Endurance GB feels that many of the new FEI rule changes coming into effect in 2020 will help improve welfare at international rides, the FEI must have backing at every level from national federations and sports’ governing bodies to both enforce and continually review both rules and the sanctions it imposes for failure to comply. Cleaning up endurance internationally must be the global priority for our sport in 2020 whatever that takes.

“At home, Endurance GB is doing everything in its power to try to ensure the welfare of horses competing at Endurance GB rides and as a result is continually reviewing its own policies and procedures as there is always room for progress...”

Read more here:
No comments:

Four Horses Suffer Catastrophic Injuries in Dubai CEN Endurance Races Over the Weekend

January 1 2020

Clean Endurance reports that in the December 29 CEN 120-km Gamilati Cup in Dubai, 3 horses suffered catastrophic injuries. "8 horses failed to complete, 1 suffered a minor injury, 3 were disqualified for not presenting at the vet gate within the maximum allowed time, and another 4 horses were brought back by ambulance for lameness and/or metabolic issues."

Another mare was reported as a catastrophic injury in the CEN 120-km Maktoum Cup for private stables the same weekend.

These races were run under National rules and not International FEI rules, so they are subject to less regulation and protection for the horses.

On January 1, Endurance GB released a statement calling for the fullest possible investigation by the FEI following these Catastrophic Injuries in these CEN rides.

In today's statement, Endurance GB’s new Director of Welfare, Antonia Milner-Matthews, a veterinary surgeon who also competes at International FEI level endurance said in part: “Endurance GB’s board and membership have been shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic Catastrophic Injuries that occurred to four horses competing over the weekend. We understand that although this was classified as a National (CEN) ride, there were at least 20 nationalities represented. It is clear that running these events with a very international flavour as CENs is not within the spirit of Article 101 of the FEI’s General Regulations and we have grave concerns that such rides do not carry the level of scrutiny, welfare safeguards or sanctions that are in place at FEI CEI International level competition. We are calling on the FEI to review this. While Endurance GB feels that many of the new FEI rule changes coming into effect in 2020 will help improve welfare at international rides, the FEI must have backing at every level from national federations and sports’ governing bodies to both enforce and continually review both rules and the sanctions it imposes for failure to comply. Cleaning up endurance internationally must be the global priority for our sport in 2020 whatever that takes."

As one of the riders aboard one of the CI horses was Dutch, the Dutch National Federation is now considering denying riding permissions for National competitions in the UAE.

Surely, more will be forthcoming from the FEI regarding these abuses.

Tahlia’s stellar show as Aussies clinch second spot

WeeklyTimesNow.com.au - Full Article

FRAN CLELAND, The Weekly Times
December 31, 2019 11:03am

AUSTRALIAN Endurance riders finished second in the FEI Trans Tasman Event held in Waiouru, on New Zealand’s North Island, hosted by Ruahine Endurance Club.

The Australian team was Tahlia Franke (youth rider), Marty Bryson, Jessie Herman, Sorsha Stuart Rkvic and Alison Noble (reserve). The Chef d’Equipe was Sonya Ryan.

The competition was a borrowed horse event where the Australian riders had horses sourced by ESNZ, and offered by generous owners.

Australia’s young rider Tahlia Franke delivered a stellar performance taking first place in the CEI2* 120km Young Rider competition riding Makahiwi Phoenix, Tahlia was also awarded Best Conditioned Horse...

Read more here:
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/sport/horses/tahlias-stellar-show-as-aussies-clinch-second-spot/news-story/058f4208091d995f278d47d611a79240

Record Fines for Endurance Riders on Doped Borrowed Horses

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Riders who travelled to the Middle East for big-purse endurance races have paid a heavy price after loaned horses tested positive for banned substances.

December 27 2019
By: Pippa Cuckson

The serious risks in accepting rides on horses managed by someone else have been highlighted by record fines of 7,500 Swiss francs ($10,000 CDN) plus two-year suspensions in each of three anti-doping decisions recently handed down by the FEI Tribunal. The fines are the largest ever set in an equine anti-doping case.

Two leading south American endurance riders Federica Rossi (Argentina) and Jonatan Rivera Iriarte (Uruguay) rode doped horses supplied by the same trainer, Abdullah Hasan Al Hammadi of Al Reef Stables, when visiting the UAE early in 2018...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/horse-news/record-fines-plus-two-year-bans-riders-doped-borrowed-horses/

UAE: Coulomb wins Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Azizi, Meydan’s Pillar Partner, sponsor the event for the third year

Published: December 28, 2019 18:08
Staff Report

Dubai: Talented French rider Camille Coulomb upstaged a strong field to win the prestigious 120km HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Festival Ride for Ladies on Friday.

Riding Vista Du Barthas, the 21-year-old endurance rider completed the gruelling distance in front of Spain’s Eulalia Guardia aboard Al Hajaj with Indian teenager Nida Anjum Chelat, the rider of Umour D’ Aurabelle, taking third place...

Read more here: