The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Easy Boy 23 (FEI ID 105AF89 /ESA), owned by Andrea Alvaro (FEI ID 10114776/ARG), tested positive for the Banned Substances Boldenone, Boldienone and Boldenone Undecylenate, following samples taken at the CSIO4* Wellington (USA), on 25 February to 1 March 2020.

The owner admitted having administered the product Anabolde to the horse, containing the Banned Substance Boldenone Undecylenate, which is prohibited at all times. She consequently admitted the violation.

The owner accepted a six months reduction of the ineligibility period. Consequently, in its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the owner, starting the date of the decision (3 November 2021). She was also fined CHF 5,000.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, a horse trained by Maria Esperanza Alonso Calero (FEI ID 10150176/ESP), tested positive for the Banned Substance Nimesulide following samples taken at the CEI1*100 Badajoz (ESP), on 22 May 2021.

The trainer admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the trainer starting from the date of the Consent Award (2 November), the provisional suspension already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. She was also fined CHF 5,000.

The full Decision is available here. 

To mark its 100 year milestone, the FEI has invited French graffiti artist Ludovilk Myers to transform the statue of the White Horse, located on the outer façade of the HM King Hussein I Building, the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne, into a one-of-a-kind urban art intervention. 

The FEI kicked off its year-long centenary celebrations in May 2021, with a video highlighting the achievements, successes and milestones of the organisation and the sport.

“We have been looking for a unique way to celebrate our centenary year and it was natural that the White Horse become the focal point,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez explained.

“Equestrian sport is unquestionably about the ‘love of the horse' which binds together our athletes from different disciplines. But our noble friend, the horse, has also always captured the imagination of artists around the world, for their movement, grace and beauty. And this is why we’re pleased to welcome the very talented Ludovilk Myers who, like our equine partner, is in his element when carrying out his art in the great outdoors.”

Ludovilk Myers, was born in the Seine St. Denis district of the Paris suburbs where he lives and works today. He started writing graffiti in Paris in 1998, taking his inspiration from the geek and street culture that defines the French capital.

Myers’ playful art, scattered with funny shapes and colours, stands in opposition to the darkness that we sometimes experience in our everyday world. His unique style earned him a position as ambassador for Converse Cons in 2014, and accolades for his design of the iconic Timberland Yellow Boot in 2016. His exhibitions in Paris, Zurich, Munich and other European cities continue to gain attention.

The FEI was created in 1921 and was headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, until the 1970s when it moved to Bern, Switzerland. The FEI moved its headquarters to Lausanne in 1991, but the HM King Hussein I Building, now located next to the Délices metro station in Lausanne, was officially opened in 2011.

The HM King Hussein I Building, a gift from former FEI President HRH Princess Haya, was thoroughly renovated in accordance with the Swiss MINERGIE® construction standard for environmental responsibility, reducing energy consumption by 25 percent. At the time, only two per cent of renovated buildings in Switzerland met the high Minergie standards.

“The city of Lausanne, which has housed the FEI’s Headquarters for 30 years now, has become an integral part of the equestrian family’s identity and character over the past decades,” Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“This is why we also wanted to involve the local Lausanne community in our celebrations. Just as street artists make their work more accessible to people by using urban settings as their canvas, sport also aspires to being universal. We hope this urban art intervention will be a unique introduction to equestrian sport, and that more people will discover the beauty of our sport as a result.

“And if you decide to ride the Lausanne metro to get to the FEI’s Headquarters, make sure you listen carefully as the train pulls into the Délices station!”

(Photo credit: FEI/Richard Juilliart)

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Giselle III Parisol (FEI ID 106PY18/POR), ridden by Rafael Dinis Rocha (FEI ID 10046681/POR), and treated by veterinarian Pedro Pinto Bravo (FEI ID 10091271/POR), tested positive for the Banned Substance Nandrolone, following samples taken at the CSIO3* Vilamoura (POR), 16-19 November 2020.

The veterinarian administered a product called Myodine containing the Banned Substance Nandrolone, a substance prohibited at all times for FEI registered horses.

Both the athlete and the veterinarian admitted that they were at fault and had committed the violation, and accepted a six-month reduction of the suspension.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed an 18-month suspension on the athlete, starting from the date of notification (12 January 2021) until 11 July 2022. The results achieved by the horse and athlete at the event were disqualified and the athlete was also fined CHF 5,000

An 18-month suspension was also imposed on the veterinarian, starting on the date of the notification (9 March 2021) until 8 September 2022. He was also fined CHF 5,000.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in the case against Ahmed Ali Mohammed Allay Al-Naqbi (FEI ID 10114817/UAE) for alleged abuse of the horse F S Don Juan FEI ID 104SN64/UAE ) at the CEI1* 100km at Al Wathba (UAE) on 8 December 2018. The case was opened by the FEI following a protest lodged by a third person.

Video footage showed the athlete repeatedly kicking the horse and flicking the reins from one side of the neck to the other. As this caused the horse unnecessary mental and physical discomfort, this constituted an Abuse of the Horse as per Article 142 of the FEI General Regulations.

The athlete has been suspended for six months from the date of the decision (22 October 2021) and was also fined CHF 1.500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 500. The results of the athlete/horse combination at the event have been disqualified.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision

The full Decision is available here. 

Riesenbeck in Germany has been named host of the FEI European Championships in the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines of Dressage and Para Dressage in 2023.

The allocation was made by the FEI Board at its monthly teleconference on 21 October 2021, with the exact dates to be confirmed and listed in the FEI Calendar for 2023 once approved by the FEI Secretary General.

The Championships will be one of the FEI sporting highlights for 2023, and will serve as qualification events for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.

Riesenbeck has a stellar record for hosting top-level national and international equestrian events, including the recent Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021.

The FEI Dressage and Para Dressage European Championships 2023 will take place at the Riesenbeck International equestrian centre, which operates several outdoor competition arenas, one indoor arena and 336 state-of-the-art stalls.

“It is a pleasure to have the Riesenbeck Organising Committee on board to host the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage European Championships in 2023,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“The Organising Committee did a fantastic job hosting the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 and we know that our able-bodied and para athletes will give their best sporting performances in Riesenbeck’s state-of-the-art facilities.”

Riesenbeck is the home town of German Jumping legend Ludger Beerbaum, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time European Champion, who is also President of the Riesenbeck Organising Committee.

“We are very proud to be welcoming yet another European Championship in Riesenbeck,” Beerbaum said. "The idea to apply for this Championship came from my partner in the Global Equestrian Group, Andreas Helgstrand, who - a successful Dressage rider himself – would like to highlight the potential of the facility for his discipline as well.

"Organising European Championships, which will also be an Olympic and Paralympic qualifier, is a huge responsibility for us, and we are already hard at work with our planning. While our first priority is the safety and welfare of all our human and equine athletes, we also know the importance of providing high quality working facilities for all involved in the organisation of the event.

“We are committed to making these Championships enjoyable for everyone, especially our equestrian fans, who we hope to welcome in large numbers so they can appreciate all that Dressage and Para Dressage have to offer.”

“We are very pleased that Riesenbeck International has been awarded the FEI Dressage and Para-Dressage European Championships 2023,” Secretary General of German Equestrian Federation Soenke Lauterbach said.

“Riesenbeck has a successful championship history and it is great that Ludger Beerbaum and his team, after having organised the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 in the shortest time, are immediately taking on the next big task.”

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in two equine anti-doping cases involving a Banned Substance.

Two horses trained by Khldoon Mohd Al Sayed (FEI ID 10014556/JOR), tested positive for the Banned Substance Strychnine following samples taken at the CEI1*80 – Wadi Rum (JOR), on 14 November 2019.

The trainer was not able to establish how the Banned Substance entered the system of each horse.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a three-year suspension on the trainer, deeming that, the same trainer having two horses testing positive at the same event, constituted aggravating circumstances. The period of the provisional suspension of the trainer, which came into effect on 13 January 2020, shall be credited against the period of ineligibility, meaning he will be ineligible until 12 January 2023. The trainer was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. The FEI Tribunal also disqualified both athlete and horse combinations from the event.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

The horse Bouzarika (FEI ID 106RJ34/JOR), ridden by Sameh Faris Mohammad Said (FEI ID 10040466/JOR), tested positive for the Banned Substance Strychnine following samples taken at the CEI1*80 – Wadi Rum (JOR), on 14 November 2019.

The athlete was not able to provide any explanation as to how the Banned Substances entered the horse’s system.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse and athlete from the event, and imposed a two-year suspension on the athlete. The period of the provisional suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 13 January 2020, shall be credited against the period of ineligibility, meaning he will be ineligible until 12 January 2022. The athlete was also fined CHF 3,750 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI and Boehringer Ingelheim, the global leader in equine health, have launched the #HealthforHorses campaign which is aimed at improving the daily care and wellbeing of horses.

The six-week campaign will be promoted on all the FEI’s social and digital channels to its online community of over three million followers. Using the #HealthforHorses hashtag, the campaign will provide a series of practical tips on important topics such as stable management and cleaning, post-exercise cooling, and items to include in a well prepared first aid kit for horses.

#HealthforHorses is the first campaign to be run under the FEI’s new commercial strategy which provides opportunities for select partners to promote their shared values through bespoke digital activations and key advertising placements.

Top equestrian influencers Lucy Robinson (@footluceeventing), Ashley Harrison (@ashleyharrisoneventing) and Lauren Allport (@laurenallport) will work alongside experts in equine health to create dynamic online content for the campaign, and to enhance the knowledge of all those who love horses.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Boehringer Ingelheim to deliver the #HealthforHorses campaign, to highlight not just the benefits of horse care for equines but also the therapeutic value that many people gain from daily contact with horses,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.

“Equestrian is not just a sport, but also a lifestyle, and it is unique because of the bond that is created between the horse and human. These connections are reinforced through daily horse care practices and there is a growing body of research which shows that positive horse-human relationships can bring intrinsic rewards to both equines and humans. If the pandemic situation has shown the world anything, it is that we need to value our relationships and this also holds true for our relationships with the horse.

“This campaign is about turning the knowledge and expertise that exists within our respective organisations into helpful resources, tips and pointers on horse care for professional, amateur and leisure riders around the world. The content, produced by our equestrian influencers, will speak directly to the younger generation of riders and up-and-coming athletes who will play an important role in keeping our community alive and growing.”

The #HealthforHorses campaign builds on previous equine health and education initiatives between the FEI and Boehringer Ingelheim that were created through the FEI Campus. The FEI Campus is an e-learning gateway which provides courses by equestrian experts on subjects like horse training, stable management, veterinary needs and equine behaviour.

“Passionate equestrians from all disciplines and all parts of the world derive endless pride, happiness and fulfilment from time spent with horses,” Boehringer Ingelheim Head of Equine, Global Strategic Marketing Liz Barrett said.

“They know that the responsibility for the health of these amazing animals is in their hands. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we aim to ensure that every horse is able to get the care and attention it truly deserves. We are delighted to start this campaign with the FEI to highlight the benefits that horses give to us every day, and to make certain that they receive our very best care in return.”

Five time Olympian Peder Fredricson (SWE) has secured the number one spot of the Longines World Ranking for the first time in his career, taking the reins from Olympic bronze medallist, Daniel Deusser (GER) who took over the position for the third time back in June 2021 and now sits in second position.

Fredricson (49), who shot up the rankings last month from number 17 into second position, one that he has held frequently, is now at the top of this elite list on 3015 points, earning further recognition for his consistent performances this year, with one breathtaking ride after another.

”Finally! I can almost not believe it’s true. I’ve been close so many times before. Right now it feels incredibly good”, said Peder Fredricson.

”To be number one on the world ranking is a goal I set a couple of years ago. It has at times felt like climbing the highest mountain in the world and I’ve almost reached the summit several times, but always fallen down. It feels amazing to finally reach the top and to be able to put down the flag.

”I dedicate this to my whole team. To be number one is something we’ve been working for during such a long time. It’s also very special that this success is made up of so many competitions with different horses during a whole year. To reach number one takes more than just good horses, you have to have good horse owners, good grooms and a very dedicated and hard working team on the ground. In that way I rank this much higher than winning just one big class during one weekend. I’m very grateful to my team and we will celebrate this together”.

His trophy cabinet includes four Olympic medals, including team silver from the 2004 Athens Olympics, individual silver from the Rio 2016 Games, where he was the only athlete who was clear in all the six rounds. Along with winning the individual silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August this year, his outstanding performances helped Sweden to its first Team Jumping Olympic gold medal in almost 100 years, and marked 29 years after he made his Olympic debut at the age of 20 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Back then, he was an accomplished Eventer – and the youngest-ever Olympic equestrian athlete for Sweden.

With his loyal partner H&M All In, Fredricson was crowned the 2017 European Champion on home soil in Gothenburg (SWE), and took a silver medal with the team. He was a member of the Swedish squad that took team silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon 2018 (USA), and in 2019 at the FEI World Cup™ Final Gothenburg (SWE) he took bronze in front of his home crowd. More recently, he won the individual bronze at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships in Riesenbeck (GER).  

In 2016 and 2017, he received the Athlete of the Year award at the Swedish Sports Gala. The 'Jerring Prize', which is Sweden’s most prestigious sporting prize, is awarded for a successful sports achievement. He earned this honour by a popular vote which put him above the likes of Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, golfing sensation Henrik Stenson and rallycross champion Mattias Ekström. In February 2019, he was presented with the Medal of Honour from Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. This month, Fredricson was one of four athletes nominated for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award which will be announced in November.

Born into an equestrian family, Peder started riding at the age of 5. His father Ingvar is a veterinarian as well as the former boss at Flyinge, the largest breeding station in Sweden. His brother Jens, also part of Sweden’s equestrian elite, competed at the London 2012 Olympics, as well as two FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals and FEI European Championships in 1997 and 2013. His wife Lisen, also a Jumping athlete, rode at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 and London in 2012.

The latest rankings reflect some strong performances with Martin Fuchs (SUI), Scott Brash (GBR) and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) remaining in third, fourth and fifth positions respectively. A shuffle in the remainder of the top ten sees Steve Guerdat (SUI) take a leap from tenth to sixth spot on 2450 points, whilst Ben Maher (GBR) has dropped down to seventh with 2417 points. Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann has dropped by one spot to eighth place, and the USA’s Kent Farrington finds himself back in the top ten in ninth position, only 22 points behind the Swede. Belgian’s Jérôme Guery now sits at number ten this month.

The full rankings list is published here.