The International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) General Assembly has unanimously elected Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as Vice-President of the organisation.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges, who previously served as the standing representative of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in the IHSC General Assembly, is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), a position he has held since 2007. He also serves as the Chair of the IFHA, the global leader for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing, and the Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), which comprises 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

“Winfried’s expertise in the horse racing industry has been of great value to the work of the IHSC, as is his commitment to protecting the welfare of equine and human athletes,” IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The IHSC was created to strengthen and formalise the cooperation between horse racing and equestrian sport in fields where we share common interest, and specifically to establish a partnership between horse sport and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“We have many ongoing projects in different fields and I look forward to continuing this close working relationship with Winfried and the IFHA, and I would like to extend my warm congratulations to him on his election. I also would like to convey my warmhearted thanks to his predecessor Louis Romanet for his great contribution to our organisation.”

Following his election as IHSC Vice-President, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said:

“I’m extremely honoured to be elected Vice-President of the IHSC. I would like to thank our President Ingmar De Vos and the General Assembly for their trust and support. I would also like to thank our past President and IFHA Chairman Emeritus Louis Romanet who was instrumental in the establishment of the IHSC as the first vehicle for cooperation between the world’s leading peak horse sports bodies.

“I look forward to furthering the collective objectives of the IFHA and the FEI, as well as advocating for the horse industry with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other international bodies.”

An all-Mexican podium highlights the country's only World Cup qualifier.

Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (MEX) has been a part of winning Nations Cup teams for his home nation of Mexico. He's been to the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Finals, and last summer he competed in his first Olympic Games. Saturday in front of a home crowd at Quintas Ecuestres in east-central Mexico, the 27-year-old notched another first in topping the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla with his longtime partner, Hortensia van de Leeuwerk.

Marina Azevedo (BRA) set a stiff track for a compact yet accomplished field. Halfway through the class, only Miguel Angel Torres Hernandez (MEX) aboard Chacendra had produced a clear effort. Just two would replicate their feat: Jose Alberto Martinez Vazquez (MEX) and Gonzalez Dufrane.

First to return for the shortened course, Torres Hernandez put the pressure on his competitors with another clear effort, but Martinez Vazquez quickly upped the ante, shaving nearly four seconds off of his time with Quinley, a horse he has produced for nine years. That left Gonzalez Dufrane no option but to take some risks in order to take home a victory. A tight left turn back to the double set him apart as he continued to gallop across the venue's breathtaking grass field.  

"First, I saw Miguel enter the ring, and he was really fast," Gonzalez Dufrane said. "I didn't see [Martinez Vazquez], but he was even faster, so I thought I had to do everything I could to win."

Gonzalez Dufrane and the 15-year-old Hortensia van de Leeuwerk have been partnered for nearly seven years, breaking onto the scene when clinching a win for Mexico as team anchors in the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA. In the years since, they have repeatedly performed for their country, which earned them a place in the Tokyo Olympic Games (JPN). Saturday's win, however, marked their biggest career individual victory. 

"We have achieved a lot of things like going to the Olympic Games. That was my mission, my main goal and a dream come true," Gonzalez Dufrane said. "[My horse] is so clever and brave, and she doesn't look that fast, but she is. She's just everything."

One leg remains in the 2021-2022 North American League season as the NAL heads to Ocala (USA). Two riders from Mexico will qualify for the Final in Leipzig (GER). Nicolas Pizarro (MEX), who finished fifth in both Puebla and Fort Worth (USA), is the highest-ranked Mexican rider, with Gonzalez Dufrane the second-highest. 

Conor Swail (IRL) leads the standings with 63 points. Tiffany Foster (CAN) sits second with 59 points, and Natalie Dean (USA) is third with 41 points.

FULL RESULTS

STANDINGS

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has confirmed the appointment of Pierre Le Goupil (FRA) as Course Designer for Eventing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A master in his field and highly respected by his peers in a role that requires enormous skill, Pierre Le Goupil (59) knows the sport from both sides of the fence. Born in a family entirely dedicated to horse sport and breeding, his father Andre Le Goupil had been a member of the French Eventing squad at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City – a memory that Le Goupil still has clear in his mind.

“Taking part in the Olympic Games, somehow or other and whatever your role, can be seen as an absolute dream or the pinnacle in a career. I feel honoured to be appointed for the Paris Olympic Games as the Eventing Course Designer of a cross-country course held in the park of Versailles palace,” Pierre Le Goupil said.

“It is truly something like getting the "job of a life"! But it is also and above all a huge challenge that I am totally aware of. The fabulous opportunity of running the Olympic Equestrian Sports in such an iconic venue also commits all those who will be in charge of the event, to the highest level of responsibility.

“I am extremely thankful to those who trust and support me and I am excited to start racking my brains in that inspirational playground,” Le Goupil concluded.

A former top-level Eventing athlete, he competed up to five star level at international events from 1975 to 2002. He has been involved in organising events since 1995, and with his family created « Le Grand Complet », the biggest equestrian event in Normandy (FRA) and one of the most important in France and Europe. The event moved in 2010 to the Haras National du Pin.

His skill and proficiency in course designing has taken him to many parts of the world, working in ten different countries including Brazil, Bulgaria, Belarus, China, Hungary, India, Japan, Russia and Chile. His appointment for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is an endorsement of his accomplishments and a true reflection of his wealth of experience which has also recently led him to being appointed as Course Designer for the upcoming Pan American Games to be held in Santiago (CHI) in 2023 and the FEI European Championships 2023 which will take place in Haras du Pin (FRA).

Le Goupil continues designing and building courses for international events in France. His expertise in consulting, cross country building and designing for all levels will make equestrian sport shine, not only in his home country, one of the world’s greatest equestrian nations, but to a global audience during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in the most exhilarating and prestigious setting at the Château de Versailles, an iconic symbol recognised worldwide.

“I am very happy that a French representative has been chosen to build the Olympic Cross Country course, in his home country, on a site with such historic value”, David O’Connor Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee said.

“Le Goupil has travelled the world designing courses at top international shows and the Olympics is the pinnacle of any sporting achievement. There is enormous pride in representing your country in a sport and profession you have dedicated your life to, and to be recognised on the greatest sporting international stage.

O’Connor continues, “as a former Olympian myself, I can only reiterate the feeling of pride when competing for your country – it exudes from within. It’s a unique experience for athletes, for fans and everyone involved in the Games. There is nothing that compares to the nostalgia you get when you walk onto the Olympic site knowing all that you have worked for to get there. Your roots, your heritage, your culture, and your place of living all on display to the world, the expectations are high but such an honour is irreplaceable.

“Working alongside the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and supported by an exceptional team, there is no doubt Le Goupil will pay homage to his great nation through the creation of the cross country course - demanding, technical and spectacular, but always with the horse welfare at the fore, showcasing key features of Versailles as the centre stage of the equestrian competitions”.

Le Goupil was elected a member of the FEI Eventing Committee in 2020 for a four year term.

A total of 30 nations across six continents have been announced to participate in the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 to be held in Aachen (GER) from 28 June - 3 July 2022.

This historic event for the youth equestrian community will showcase 30 athletes, aged between 15 and 18 years, who will compete in both Individual and Continental Team Jumping competitions. To fulfil the Youth Equestrian Games qualification criteria, athletes are required to complete two rounds of competition over the same pre-determined course, with identical distance and height specifications.

Following the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar (SEN) to 2026, the FEI requested the IOC to organise an alternative event to be held in 2022. In agreement with the IOC, the Youth Equestrian Games, built around the same principles as YOG, will be organised to avoid young athletes being negatively impacted by the absence of the Youth Olympic Games. The event will also host a Culture and Education Programme established in cooperation with the IOC.

Participants will compete under the same format used in previous editions of the YOG. Athletes will ride unfamiliar horses -assigned by a random draw and supplied by the organising committee- and will have three training days and a welcome competition -outside of the official programme- to strengthen their bond and forge a solid partnership.

The city chosen to host the Youth Equestrian Games has been the iconic Aachen, in Germany, where fans have seen many of the best equestrians in history crowned. The perfect stage to enjoy the stars of the future.

Six countries will make their first appearance in the competition: Costa Rica, France, Germany, Palestine, Russia and Tunisia.

“It was important for the FEI to find a replacement to the Youth Olympic Games to ensure we did not deprive a whole youth generation of the Olympic dream,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will inspire young equestrians from all over the world, making this not only a rewarding, exciting and impactful experience for them, but with an educational dimension, fundamental to instilling the philosophy of the Olympic Games. Exposing the youth to the integral values built around Olympism that will ultimately encourage further skills development to achieving high levels of performance, whilst understanding friendship and respect in the sporting arena.

"To foster these Olympic values is key to ensuring the future of our sport in the Olympic movement. The Youth Equestrian Games are a unique opportunity to develop our young athletes at the highest level while keeping them motivated towards the Olympic dream".

The final list of qualified athletes will be published here on 1 June.

All the information you need to know about the Youth Equestrian Games 2022 can be viewed here

Qualified Nations: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Palestine, Paraguay, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.

Nations competing for the first time: Costa Rica, France, Germany, Palestine, Russia and Tunisia.

With the only double-clear performance in the final competition, Juan José Salinas Rodriguez clinched an emphatic victory for the host nation yesterday at the FEI Jumping Children’s Classic Final 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Riding the brilliant little nine-year-old grey mare Gabbana M, the 14-year-old rider threw down a strong target in the nine-horse jump-off against the clock and couldn’t be caught. But it wasn’t for lack of trying by the remainder contenders, with runner-up, Guatemala’s José Daniel Montenegro Ortíz, posting a quicker time but denied the win when the very last fence hit the floor in the thrilling final showdown. 

Brazil’s Giullia Atrasas Bolson finished third ahead of Mexico’s Alessandro Neumann Priess while Iran’s Bardia Fereidonian slotted into fifth and South Africa’s Ana van Coller claimed sixth place.

10 countries

A total of 30 competitors from 10 countries - Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador,

Guatemala, Iran, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Zimbabwe - lined out in the First Qualifier staged last Thursday in which Guatemala’s José Daniel Montenegro Ortíz  came out on top with the 16-year-old mare Squeakie. 

This Final presents a real challenge to all competitors who have qualified through competitions staged all around the world because they ride borrowed horses. The ability of the young athletes to quickly adapt to a completely unfamiliar mount plays a significant role in their success, and José Daniel quickly established an excellent rapport with his horse who galloped home clear in 55.06 seconds to take the first honours of the week.

Under the watchful eye of Technical Delegate Ramin Shafiee from Iran, Mexican course designer, Benjamin Fernandez, presented excellent tracks over the three days of competition. Home runners Maria José Salazar Moreno (Saltillo de la Nutria) and Jorge Maurer Buch (Porteña) filled second and third places on the opening day when the eventual champions Salinas Rodriguez and Gabbana M slotted into sixth.

However a first-round mistake in Saturday’s Second Qualifier saw the pair miss out on the jump-off in which Mexico’s Michelle Llamas Valadez (Casarah), Paulina Reguero Cortina (Mike) and Jorge Maurer Buch clinched the top three spots. 

Finale                                          

The top 16, consisting of nine girls and seven boys, made the cut into yesterday’s finale which was a thriller from start to finish. The 11-fence first-round track included a triple combination just one from home, and two horse-and-rider combinations were eliminated when parting company - Maria José Salazar Moreno when her 16-year-old gelding slammed on the brakes at the oxer at fence five, and Michelle Llamas Valdez who came adrift at the first element of that triple combination. 

Colombia’s Mariana Torres Gaviria was first of the nine to go against the clock and picked up 12 faults with Habibi de la Reine before South Africa’s Ana Van Coller (Claudia) and Mexico’s Alessandro Neumann Priess (Corlinus) each put four faults on the board. But Juan José Salinas Rodriguez and Gabbana M would make no mistake.

The little grey just flew around the track, getting just enough height over the new course of fences and scorching through the finish to put it up to the rest when the clock stopped on 35.34 seconds.

Iran’s Bardia Fereidonian and Ciruelo Mendocinas presented a lovely picture all week, and the big, honest grey mare looked set to post the second clear of the jump-off until lowering the first element of the former triple combination which was now reduced to just two jumping efforts.

The final three

When Mexico’s Luciana Leal Diaz (Marrakech) returned with eight faults it was now down the final three, and it was a nail-biter. Giullia Atrasas Bolson meant business from the outset, cutting tight on the rollback to the vertical at fence five only to meet the same fate as Fereidonian at the penultimate double. When she broke the beam in 38.68 seconds she was guaranteed a top-three placing however, and she said afterwards that she loved riding the 15-year-old chestnut mare Romina LS.

“My first round was not so good, but the jump-off was much better and I’m happy to be on the podium”, said the Brazilian girl who was offered very sound advice before going into the arena for the final time. “My trainer told me before the jump-off, just calm down. You don’t know the horse that well. What happens, happens. If you don’t win, that is no problem!”

There was a buzz of excitement from the spectators as Jorge Maurer Buch set off, second-last to go, and he certainly kept them on the edges of their seats. After hitting the second fence he galloped on for a fast four-fault result, but a tricky moment at fence five saw him almost unshipped from the saddle before making a spectacular recovery to finish the course with just eight faults on the board. 

Top step 

Now only José Daniel Montenegro Ortiz stood between Juan José Salinas Rodriguez and that top step of the podium, and when he raced through the finish it seemed the Guatemalan had done it. The clock showed the quickest time, 34.88 seconds, but to the disbelief of the crowd and the disappointment of the young athlete the late-falling pole at the very last fence would see him having to settle for silver medal position. He was very philosophical about it. 

“Having the last fence down in the jump-off is something that could happen. I wanted to risk everything and it went how it went. I wanted to win, but I knew that it could happen”, he said. And he expressed his appreciation for everything his gallant mare Squeakie had given him over the previous few days. “I’ve been really happy with her, she is very fast and I like her a lot!”, he said.

The newly-crowned gold medallist admitted that there was plenty of pressure at the Final but said it was “a nice kind of pressure”, and that he was very proud to represent Mexico at the event. And he paid tribute to the diminutive Gabbana M who carried him so earnestly and courageously throughout the tournament. 

“I am really happy with her, she is very tiny but she is great!”, he said. And he also paid tribute to his opponents who, in the tradition that goes with success at junior level, unceremoniously threw him into the water jump after the prizegiving.

“It’s awesome being with kids from all around the world. It is a very nice experience to meet new people from other countries and see how they ride. All of them are very good and you learn a lot”, said the gracious new FEI Jumping Children’s Classic Final champion.

Result here 

The star German partnership of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her fabulous mare TSF Dalera BB reigned supreme at the fifth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2021/2022 Western European League on home soil at Neumünster today. The pair who dominated the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last July before going on to sweep another three gold medals at the FEI Dressage European Championships 2021 in Hagen (GER) two months later showed exactly why they stand top of the world rankings when posting today’s winning score of 90.615.

The starting field was reduced to 13 following the withdrawal of two top German contenders, Helen Langehanenberg (Annabelle) and Benjamin Werndl (Famoso OLD), but the competition was keen from the outset and Danish riders really rose to the challenge when finishing second, third and fourth. 

Sixth to go, Australia’s Kirsty Oatley left the arena in tears for all the right reasons after posting an emotional personal-best 79.840 with her chestnut gelding Du Soleil whose fancy footwork belied his 18 years, and this pair were out in front going into the second half of the competition. 

After the break

Swedish showman Patrik Kittel took over the lead when first into the arena after the break when scoring 81.325 with his relatively new ride Blue Hors Zepter before Germany’s Isabell Werth - chasing her fourth consecutive series title this season - bettered that when DSP Quantaz put 82.640 on the board. However it was the final four who really shook things up.

Carina Cassøe Krüth produced an exciting Freestyle with Helline’s Danciera who broke in extended trot but who was clapped up the final centreline of one-handed passage by the enthusiastic spectators. Their score of 83.670 gave them a short-lived advantage because compatriot Cathrine Dufour was next into the ring with Vamos Amigos who really raised the bar with a mark of 86.725. The youngest horse in the class at 10 years of age, this looks to be one with a really exciting future. 

“He’s a very hot little man but very kind. He’s quite new to the game and I love him!”, Dufour said afterwards.

The last of the Danes, Nanna Skodborg Merrald, then produced a personal-best with Atterupgaards Orthilia who posted 84.480 to slot in behind compatriot Dufour, but once von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera set off it always looked like a German win.

Plan

It didn’t all go quite to plan for the superstar partnership however, the normally very lady-like mare getting a little naughty in extended canter while there was a break in the one-tempi canter changes. Such was the quality of the rest of the work however that the result never seemed in any real doubt, the pair earning multiple scores of 10 including across the board from all judges for their transitions to, and from, passage. 

Von Bredow-Werndl admitted afterwards that she thought her mare was about to explode when she rocketed off in the extended canter. “She knew she shouldn’t do it, but she was just feeling too good! She’s so full of power and energy, but she trusts me and she came back to me very quickly”, she said with a laugh.

At the post-competition press conference Dufour reflected on a really promising performance from her rising star. The Danish rider was making her debut at the Hostenhallen in Neumünster and said she really liked the venue and was delighted with her result with Vamos Amigos. “I couldn’t be happier”, she said, “adding that she was “super-pleased to be sitting next to Jessica and also Nanna because we have been competitors, colleagues and friends since we were children!”

Final

For today’s winner, attention now turns to the last Western European League qualifier ahead of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2022 which will take place in Leipzig, Germany from 6 to 10 April. In three weeks’ time there will be one more opportunity to collect qualifying points at ’s-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands.  

“You need to to compete in three qualifiers to go to the Final and I’ve only done two so I’ll definitely have to go to Den Bosch. We haven’t had a Final for two years so we really want to get there this year!”, von Bredow-Werndl said. 

After today’s fifth leg of the series she now lies joint-sixth on the Western European League leaderboard while Dufour has moved up to second behind Germany’s Frederic Wandres at the head of affairs.

Result here 

The FEI has launched The Para Equestrian Digest, an online magazine created for Para Equestrian athletes and the people connected to the sport so they can share – in their own words – their personal experiences and disability stories.

Every month, the Digest will put the spotlight on an athlete or project in Para Equestrian sport with the aim of improving disability awareness and inclusion.

The magazine has its roots in the WeThe15 campaign, which was launched by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in Tokyo at last year’s Paralympic Games. The campaign, which is sport’s largest ever human rights movement to end discrimination, aims to transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities who represent 15% of the global population.

“The conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion need to be informed by real-life experiences, and story-telling is a key tool in this process of creating awareness and connection,” FEI Secretary General and newly re-elected President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO) Sabrina Ibáñez explained.

“First-hand accounts invite the public to better understand the situations faced by people with disabilities on a daily basis, and challenge widely held perceptions about disability. This process of perspective-taking, or the ability to understand another person’s point of view, is what sparks the conversations that lead to long-lasting change.

“Para Equestrian athletes have experiences off the field-of-play that can inform the wider conversation on disability inclusion and we wanted to provide them with a space to share their thoughts and ideas.”

In the lead up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Digest will explore key themes affecting disability inclusion, beginning with a discussion on ‘ableism’ or the societal attitudes that diminish the potential of persons with disabilities.

“The aim of the Para Equestrian Digest is not to problem gaze, but to seek out solutions and ideas for greater inclusion, that are offered by the para athletes themselves,” Chair of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee Amanda Bond said.

“Ironically, people with disabilities are often not part of the discussions on disability inclusion, which leads to weak decision-making processes and less than desirable outcomes.

“We hope that these unique narratives from the Para Equestrian community will resonate with people around the world facing similar issues. While we recognise that inclusion is a long-term process with many challenges, we believe that these stories can affect change one small step at a time.”

Read here: Natasha Baker: Sport opens people’s eyes

Photo caption: Natasha Baker (GBR) - The Para Equestrian Digest's first contributor - showing solidarity with the WeThe15 campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. (© FEI/Liz Gregg)

FEI and IVOC sign a Memorandum of Understanding

The FEI and the International Vaulting Officials Club (IVOC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU formalises the relationship between the two organisations and allows the IVOC to contribute more efficiently within the FEI framework.

“Vaulting became an FEI discipline nearly 40 years ago and has played an important role in the development of equestrian sport globally with its appeal to youth, and incredible horsemanship and showmanship,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Officials play a vital role in the development and success of equestrian sports, and we are very happy our relationship with the Vaulting Officials, represented by the IVOC, has been reinforced. It will allow the Officials to engage formally in important consultation processes, such as rules revision, and to have their say in the future development of Vaulting around the world.”

“This is an exciting new step in the relationship between the FEI and IVOC,” IVOC Chairwoman Karolina (Mimmi) Wickholm (FIN) commented.

“We at the IVOC hope to preserve the transparency, open communication, and spirit of friendship we have enjoyed in the tightknit Vaulting community over the years. Our Club’s focus will be on ensuring good and fair working conditions for all Vaulting Officials.

“All the IVOC members are equal and we value everyone’s concerns and opinions. We look forward to working together with the FEI for the greater benefit of Vaulting and equestrian sport in general. The IVOC shares the FEI’s values and especially the dedication to the welfare of our most valuable team member – the horse – as well as the respect for all those engaged in the sport.”

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) cover general topics and areas of specific interest between the parties such as mutual recognition, FEI Rules and Regulations, horse welfare, good governance, consultation, General Assemblies, and the FEI Sports Forum.

The list of the MoU stakeholders to date is available here.

Photo caption: The Austrian squad at the FEI Vaulting World Championships 2021 in Budapest (HUN). (c) FEI/Lukasz Kowalski

The FEI President has welcomed the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Equestrian sport is officially confirmed in the Initial Sports Programme for Los Angeles 2028.

The confirmation for inclusion in the LA 2028 Initial Sports Programme took place yesterday during the IOC session in Beijing (CHN), and followed the announcement by the IOC in December 2021 that equestrian sport was amongst the 28 sports proposed.

“We are delighted with this confirmation, which is a glowing endorsement of the valuable contribution and legacy that equestrian sport brings to the Olympic movement” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“However, this is only a first step. The Equestrian Disciplines for LA2028 will be decided mid-2023 and the Equestrian Events and the Quota for LA will only be decided after Paris2024”.

Universality, integrity and fairness, gender equality and popularity were highlighted as key requirements of the evaluation criteria to determine the Disciplines and Events for the programme, in line with the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020+5. Athlete safety, environmental sustainability and keeping the sport relevant to youth were also reiterated as significant factors in the decision making process.

“We are committed to deliver successful sport at the Olympics and are passionate about universality and growing our sport to reach new audiences and develop talent around the world” FEI President Ingmar De Vos continued.

“Youth participation and development play a key role in this process, and will ensure we have a diverse and inclusive equestrian community for young people to grow, progress and strive for Olympic greatness.

“The youth are the future and with equestrian sport in the LA2028 programme, a youth focused Games, it’s an added incentive for our ambitious young athletes to prepare to showcase their talent on the biggest world stage.

“Consolidation of our place in the LA2028 Olympic programme will keep the equestrian community strong and resilient in this competitive sporting landscape”.

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a Horse Abuse case involving an athlete and his support personnel.

This Horse Abuse case involves the athlete Esam Zbibi (FEI ID 10184793/GBR) and his support personnel Hicham Gharib, regarding the horse HH Sigma (FEI ID 105XP18/UAE) at the CSI3* in Abu Dhabi (UAE) 23-26 February 2021.

The FEI officials reported that the athlete had used hind boots with nails inside them on the horse. A steward at the warm up arena had noticed that the horse was jumping extremely high with its hind legs and asked the Chief Steward to check the hind boots. Before he could do so, Hicham Gharib, the support personnel of the athlete, threw the hind boots outside of the warm up arena. The Chief Steward found both hind boots and in every boot there was a nail as well as blood stains.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal ruled that Esam Zbibi had engaged in Horse Abuse and imposed a four-year ineligibility period on him starting from the date of the decision, meaning he is suspended until 1 February 2026. He was also fined CHF 10,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.

The FEI Tribunal also ruled that Hicham Garib had engaged in Incorrect Behaviour and imposed a one year ineligibility period on starting from the date of the decision, meaning he is suspended until 1 February 2023. He was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.   

The full Decisions are available here.