The FEI has taken the “drastic measure” to suspend thenational federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following its investigation into the sport of endurance.
Major issues
Under the terms of the suspension, representatives from the UAE may not attend or organise any FEI endurance competitions. However, riders from other disciplines can compete under the FEI flag in international competitions organised outside the UAE.
Following on-going concerns of “major welfare issues” and non-compliance of rules, the FEIwas unanimous in its decision to suspend the federation.
However, FEI president Ingmar De Vos pointed out it was not a decision “taken lightly”.
“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,” he said. “Where horse welfare is concerned the FEI has to show leadership and solve problems in a structural way without making any concessions.”
Catastrophic injuries
The FEI had hoped itsnew rules implemented on 1 August 2014 would reduce the numbers of “catastrophic injuries and fatalities” in the UAE.
“Regretfully this has not been the case,” continued the FEI president. “There have also been other major non-compliance issues, so in the end we had no other choice than taking this drastic measure to deal with an unacceptable situation.”
This announcement follows the “interim emergency measure” to remove the two remaining endurance events in the UAE from the FEI calendar.
Dark period
World Horse Welfare worked with the FEI’s endurance strategic planning croup, which introduced the more robust rules The charity also helped draft the FEI’s code of conduct for the welfare of the horse.
Chief executive Roly Owers said while this was a “sad day”, the UAE federation had to be suspended.
“We hope that this action will be the end of a dark period in international endurance and demonstrate to all that the FEI welfare code of conduct must be at the heart of international equestrian sport,” he said.
“The focus is now on the UAE to undergo a fundamental change in attitude towards equine welfare in order to compete without compromising the safety of the horse.”
Fake events
Any potential reinstatement to the FEI depends on the UAE signing an agreement, pledging to take necessary action to protect equine welfare and comply fully with the FEI rules and regulations.
The federation has 30 days to appeal the suspension to the FEI Tribunal.
In a separate scandal, the FEI has asked the equestrian community integrity unit to conduct an investigation into allegations of fake events and the duplication of results at FEI Endurance events in the UAE.