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The FEI has committed to allocate European Championships in two Olympic disciplines – Jumping and Dressage – for 2021, both to German venues.
The FEI Board has confirmed allocation of the FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 to Riesenbeck, home-base of Barcelona 1992 Olympic champion Ludger Beerbaum, pending final confirmation from the Organiser. The Championships will be listed in the FEI Calendar for 30 August to 4 September 2021.
Allocation of the FEI Dressage Championships 2021 was confirmed to Hagen, host venue to major international events annually, also pending final confirmation from the Organiser. The Championships will be entered into the FEI Calendar for 7-12 September 2021.
Confirmation of the decision on the two Championships came at yesterday’s FEI Board meeting, held via videoconference. The FEI Board, with the full support of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), agreed that in view of the rescheduled Olympic and Paralympic Games and the huge amount of planning involved, if either of the venues is unable to host these Championships, the bid process for 2021 will not be re-opened.
Following the postponement of this year’s Tokyo Games to 2021, the FEI Board had previously ruled that European Championships in the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines should not be held next year to allow the focus to be on Tokyo. However, the EEF and a number of European National Federations urged the FEI Board to review its decision, resulting in yesterday’s resolution.
“We are very happy to have great venues at Riesenbeck and Hagen available to host the European Championships in Jumping and Dressage next year and we look forward to receiving the final confirmation from the two Organisers for these Championships to go ahead”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“These Championships have really been a great example of the FEI, EEF, the German National Federation, the two Organisers and everyone else involved working together to accommodate the wishes of the European National Federations and the Athletes’ community to have these Championships next year. I am particularly grateful for the valuable work done by the FEI Technical Committees and Calendar Task Forces.”
Sadly there will be no FEI European Eventing Championships in 2021 as the organisers that had put in expressions of interest to host the Championships subsequently withdrew from the process.
The FEI European Para Dressage Championships will also not take place in 2021 to allow athletes to focus on the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
There was an exciting conclusion to the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses 2020 at the Haras National at l’Isle de Briand in Le Lion d’Angers (FRA) yesterday, where German star Ingrid Klimke steered Cascamara to claim the 6-year-old title and compatriot Sophie Leube topped the 7-year-old category with Sweetwaters Ziethen T.
In a world so full of uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to play havoc with all things including the sporting calendar, there was both relief and delight that the annual event went ahead. Speaking during the prizegiving for the 6-year-olds, in which she finished third, Dutch athlete Merel Blom praised the tremendous effort of the organisers who ensured the much-anticipated fixture took place with careful consideration for health protocols while also offering a strong test for the latest crop of talented young horses.
Riders from 19 countries and horses representing 22 international Studbooks competed for the prestigious titles.
6-Year-Olds
Mares claimed the top five places in the 6-year-old division in which there was 38 starters, but it was the Irish Sport Horse gelding MHS Brown Jack who was out in front going into the final day with Great Britain’s Tom McEwen onboard. The pair posted a Dressage score of 26.6 and added nothing on cross-country day, but two mistakes in the final Jumping phase dropped them to sixth in the final analysis.
Klimke and Cascamara (Cascadello ll and Taramanga x Templer GL XX) lay second on their Dressage mark of 27.4, and when they added nothing to that scoreline had victory in the bag. There were just four eliminations on cross-country day when 20 combinations jumped clear across the beautifully-designed 20-fence track, and amongst those eliminated were the fourth-placed Australian partnership of Kevin McNab and Cute Girl.
The leaderboard was shaken up again on the final day when clear rounds proved hard to get. A total of 31 made it through to the final test and 25 of them collected penalties. Zero scores saw Ireland’s Cathal Daniels and the Irish Sport Horse LEB Empress rocket up from 15th to eventual fifth place while America’s Tiana Coudray make a spectacular improvement from 12th to fourth with the Holsteiner Cabaret.
Lying in overnight fifth, The Netherlands’ Merel Blom and the Holsteiner mare Corminta Vom Gwick finished third despite the addition of 1.2 time penalties, while a pole down and 0.4 for time saw Germany’s Sophie Leube and Isselhook’s First Sight drop from fourth to eighth.
All the pressure
Great Britain’s Oliver Townend was lying third with the Irish Sport Horse Cooley Rosalent and added nothing to his scoreline, and when Klimke and Cascamara followed suit then all the pressure was on leader McEwen and MHS Brown Jack. A single error would have dropped them to third, but two down saw them having to settle for sixth. Klimke’s smile was as a wide as an ocean when she stood top-of-the-line with her lovely mare at the end of the day.
“I bought her last year directly from the breeder, Helmut Bergendahl - one of the only breeders I know who still breeds for Eventing by crossing Thoroughbred mares with Jumping stallions. She competed at her first show on the last weekend in July and did a good job so I thought she could be ready for a 2-star quite quickly. She did three 2-stars and won the third, and when I brought her to Le Lion she was already more confident in the dressage.
“She was a bit green in the cross-country, especially at the water and the house, but when I asked her to give it a try she was right there - so bold and smart and clever. I thought nine minutes might be too long for her but she galloped around easily. In the showjumping she right away said ‘I know my job’, and she was never close to touching a fence, she was so easy to ride and I feel I have a new superstar coming along!”, Klimke said.
7-Year-Olds
Leube was all smiles too when enjoying a runaway victory with Sweetwaters Ziethen T (Abendtanz and Zaria AA x Campetot AA) in the 7-year-old category. The German pair were on familiar territory having finished fifth in the 6-year-old division last year, and the stallion never put a foot wrong after posting the best Dressage score of 27.6.
There were 42 starters and 27 completions in this class in which there was an optimum time of 9 minutes 19 seconds on the 22-fence cross-country track. Leube and her handsome horse did it to perfection when crossing the finish line in 9 minutes 14 seconds, and when they kept a clean sheet yesterday they were simply untouchable.
On his fifteenth visit to these Young Horse Championships, French star Nicolas Touzaint slotted the Selle Francais gelding Diabolo Menthe into second after Dressage on a mark of 29.1, ahead of The Netherlands’ Blom in third with the Holsteiner Crossborder Radar Love (30.3) and New Zealand’s Caroline Powell with the Irish Sport Horse Greenacres Special Cavalier in fourth place (30.6).
Powell collected 20 penalties at the middle element of fence 15 to drop out of contention however and it was Leube and Touzaint, followed by compatriot Donatien Schauly in third with the Selle Francais gelding Dgin du Pestel Mili and Britain’s Laura Collett with the Irish Sport Horse Moonlight Charmer who topped the leaderboard on Saturday evening.
Regrouped
But Collett’s mare didn’t pass the final horse inspection so when the field regrouped yesterday it was Italy’s Filippo Gregoroni who was lying fifth with another Irish-bred, disarmingly called Unnamed, and despite a fence down this pair only dropped a single place in the final standings.
Two mistakes dropped Blom to eighth while French rider Camille Lejeune, 26th after Dressage and 10th after cross-country, shot up to fifth when the Selle Francais mare Dame Decoeur Tardonn picked up just 1.2 showjumping time penalties. Meanwhile Great Britain’s Alexander Bragg and the Irish-bred Ardeo Premier moved up from seventh to fourth when clear.
In the battle between the top three, Touzaint dropped a place when his fabulous big grey gelding left one on the floor allowing Schauly into runner-up spot when foot-perfect. And then Leube held her nerve to clinch the win in fine style.
As Klimke remarked, these Championships are held in high regard by the world’s top riders. “It’s one of my favourites for young horses because they learn so much here, there’s no other course with such a variety of fences and terrain. My inexperienced mare was spooky at the first water, but by the time she got to the second water she had already learned a lot and was in a nice easy rhythm. Thanks to everyone at Le Lion for giving us riders and horses a great opportunity in these difficult times!”
For more information and full results visit www.mondialdulion.com
There’s nothing like a home victory to please the crowd, and although numbers were limited as pandemic protocols were strictly in place, Cathrine Dufour’s winning ride with Bohemian at the first leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2020/2021 Western European League in Aarhus (DEN) brought spectators to their feet today.
Last season, when the opening round of the series was staged at the Boxen arena in Herning, the Danish pair claimed top honours in both the Grand Prix and Freestyle. And this weekend they did it all over again in the considerably more modest confines of the Danish National Equestrian Centre in Vilhelmsborg, but with even more confidence and flair.
Fifth-last to go in the field of 15 starters they posted a big score of 88.200 to take the lead. And although defending five-time series champion Isabell Werth came dangerously close when last to go with Emilio, her score of 87.845 wasn’t enough to prevent another Dufour double.
Werth filled runner-up spot ahead of German compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Zaire-E in third, and the Danes had even more to cheer about when Carina Cassøe Krüth and Heiline’s Danciera put in a brilliant performance to line up in fourth.
Same top three
It was the same top-three in yesterday’s Grand Prix in which Dufour’s winning margin was much wider, her mark of 88.435 leaving her more than five percentage points ahead of the two Germans who both posted 77 percent scores.
“Bohemian was really good in the Grand Prix, he was just playing with all the moves. Today I had to push him a bit more, but he’s getting more and more brave and he loves being in the ring!”, Dufour explained.
She had the leading score of 82.105, set by Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and the 18-year-old Damsey FRH, in her sights as she set sail this afternoon. Bohemian seemed to be listening as she spoke quietly and patted him before their music began, and the harmony between the partnership oozed through every movement, with crisp, clean piaffe and passage a particular highlight throughout a lovely test.
When they came to a halt, the horse dropped his head in complete relaxation knowing that was a job well done. And when over 88 percent went up on the board it was obvious it was not going to be an easy score to beat.
Consummate ease
Von Bredow-Werndl’s mare, Zaire-E, produced a lovely test for 85.335 while Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Delaunay Old, who presented no less than 18 one-tempi changes with consummate ease, earned a score of 82.575.
Second-last into the ring, Cassøe Krüth whose nine-year-old mare Heiline’s Danciera gave notice of her great promise when finishing fourth at the FEI WBFSH Young Horse Championships at Ermelo (NED) two years ago, provided another Danish treat for a mark of 84.455 to slot temporarily into third place.
However Werth was still to come, and although Emilio had not given his rider his full cooperation in yesterday’s Grand Prix, few doubted the German legend’s capacity for pulling off a big result this time out. But it didn’t happen and it was Dufour who was the one waving at the masked crowd during this evening’s prizegiving ceremony.
Achieved so much
The 28-year-old Danish athlete achieved so much with her little chestnut gelding Atterupgaards Cassidy who took her all the way from Junior level to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and on to three bronze medals at the FEI European Championships in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2017 and Grand Prix Special bronze at last year’s Europeans in Rotterdam (NED). Bohemian is now stepping into the spotlight, and Dufour believes he has a lot more to show.
“He hasn’t reached anything like his limits, he’s still developing mentally and there’s definitely more room for improvement from him - I’m delighted with him!”, she said happily.
The second leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2020/2021 Western European League is scheduled to take place in Salzburg (AUT) from 3 to 6 December 2020.
Results here
More information about the series here
Persisting in the face of the disruption caused by the pandemic that has led to the cancellation of multiple equestrian events in recent months, the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2020/2021 Western European League gets underway in Denmark this week.
Initially scheduled to take place in Herning, this opening leg has been relocated to the National Equestrian Centre in Vilhelmsborg near Aarhus, where the main manor house, a listed building that dates back to 1842, is closely associated with the world-famous master of fairytale-telling, writer Hans Christian Andersen.
Vilhelmsborg staged the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in 2001 when the all-German podium was topped by Ulla Salzgeber with Rusty, while Isabell Werth lined up second with Antony FRH and Rudolf Zeilinger finished third with Livijno.
Werth returns 19 years later as the most decorated athlete in the history of equestrian sport and chasing her sixth FEI Dressage World Cup™ title. She currently holds the top two places on the world rankings with Bella Rose and Weihegold, and brings seventh-placed Emilio to this first qualifier of the new season.
Five nations
Athletes from five nations will compete, and the top-class German contingent also includes world number three, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl partnering Zaire-E, and world number eight Helen Langehanenberg with Damsey FRH, along with Jessica Süss with Duisenberg.
Finland will be represented by Emma Kanerva and Dambacu NL, while Nars Gottmer (Dicaprio Swing), Margo Timmermans (Catch Me) and Thamar Zweistra (Hexagon’s Doublt Dutch) will fly the Dutch flag. Sweden’s Patrik Kittel (Delaunay OLD), Therese Nilshagen (Dante Weltino OLD) and Antonia Ramel (Brother de Jeu) will also add plenty of quality to the line-up.
However, the host country’s Cathrine Dufour may well prove to be the one to beat. She is armed with the 10-year-old gelding Bohemian with which she stole the show at last year’s Danish leg of the series when winning both the Grand Prix and Freestyle.
Talking about the horse that day she said, “imagine what he can do when I start to push him some more!”, and he hasn’t disappointed, topping both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at the CDI5* in Herning in March of this year, just before the sport was locked down due to the spread of Covid-19.
Newly-crowned champion
And Dufour comes to Vilhelmsborg as newly-crowned 2020 Danish Grand Prix champion. She took the title for the fourth time in her career with great performances from her 17-year-old superstar Atterupgaards Cassidy at the championships staged in Uggerhalne last month, where she also became engaged to girlfriend Rasmine Rosedahl Laudrup, daughter of former soccer star Brian Laudrup who is now a popular Danish TV commentator and pundit.
Dufour will be joined by compatriots Andreas Helgstrand (Fiontini), Lone Bang Larsen (Bakkely’s Onandt), Charlotte Heering (Bufranco), Carina Cassoe (Heiline’s Danciera) and Helene Melsen (Aston Martin) in what promises to be a great weekend of sport.
The FEI Dressage Grand Prix will take place at 17.30 local time on Saturday 17 October, with the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday 18 October kicking off at 14.00.
Attendance is limited, as the event will be conducted strictly in line with national Covid restrictions and FEI guidelines. However you won’t miss a hoofbeat because all the action will be LIVE ON FEI TV as horse-and-athlete combinations take their first steps on the road to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2021 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April.
Check out the Western European League here
Proposed solutions that would secure the future of the European equine industry through safe and expedited horse movement between EU Member States and Britain following the UK’s departure from the EU, have been sent to Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom (UKTF) and to Lord Frost, the British Prime Minister's Europe Adviser and Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe.
The proposals, which cover equilibrium in equine health status between the EU and Britain, digital passports to facilitate seamless international transport of guaranteed high-health status horses and zero tariffs for cross-border movement, are outlined in a comprehensive 14-page dossier produced by the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law, a collaboration of the key European Sport Horse and Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding industries.
The six-member task force was formed earlier this year by the IHSC, constituted jointly by the global governing bodies for equestrian sport and racing, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in 2013.
The IHSC, together with the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations and the European Equestrian Federation, has proposed simple and workable solutions that will ensure horse welfare and safeguard both European and British interests.
High health horses in Britain have the same health status as those in EU Member States and the task force is requesting that a trade agreement between the EU and Britain should reflect this fact.
Zero tariffs are already in place, and the task force is requesting that they be maintained, with the scheme being extended to geldings. Currently only stallions and mares are eligible for tariff-free cross-border transport.
Digital passports would provide EU Competent Authorities with full traceability and sanitary guarantees, offering immediate, 24/7 access to secure fail-safe identification and ownership information, as well as real-time monitoring of a horse’s movements.
The high health status of each horse can be instantly validated through access to up-to-date vaccination and medical records, allowing for a higher level of monitoring and prevention of potential disease outbreaks in line with the biosecurity requirements of the EU Animal Health Law, thus facilitating speedy transit for these horses. The digital equine passports can also be adopted for use between EU Member States and A-listed 3rd countries.
If approved, the e-Passport would have no financial implications for the EU as costs around final development, implementation and running of the system will be met by the equine industry.
Using a two-pronged approach, the task force is seeking to have its proposals captured in the text of both the Trade Agreement and in the EU Animal Health Law, which comes into force on 21 April 2021.
Should a trade agreement with Britain not be reached, the task force is asking the EU to declare an equilibrium of health status for A-listed 3rd countries. The proposals also include regional agreements on the bio-secure traceable movement of high health horses signed between neighbouring EU Member States. A Tripartite Agreement previously existed between France, Britain and Ireland, and there is currently an agreement between France and the Benelux countries.
“The equine industry is of crucial importance to the economic, social, sporting and cultural fabric of both the European Union and the United Kingdom, and as representatives from all sectors of that industry, we believe that there are simple solutions that can guarantee a secure future for the European equine industry”, IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said.
“It is one of the most important animal breeding and production sectors in Europe, larger and with greater economic impact and employment than a number of other European agricultural sectors, with a net worth of over €52 billion per annum, providing 210,000 direct and more than 500,000 indirect jobs.
“Our goal is to reach an agreement that will allow for a continuation of the historical expedited movement of horses for breeding, sale and competition between EU Member States and Britain. While there are some sectors currently under discussion that seem to remain difficult in the negotiations, we believe that there are simple solutions within the equine industry that can be readily included in a Free Trade Agreement. Indeed, they are also workable even in a no deal scenario.
“We are asking the negotiators on both sides of the table to take our proposals on board and incorporate them into the texts of the Trade Agreement, if there is one, and the EU to include them in the incoming EU Animal Health Law, which comes into effect next April.
“Without agreement on this, we estimate that the industry in Europe could shrink by as much as a third, with a potential €17 billion reduction in economic contribution, and the potential loss of 250,000 jobs in a marketplace already threatened with critical unemployment levels and a significant reduction in foreign direct investment in the European Union as the economic focus shifts to North America and Asia. So failure is not an option!”
European Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law
Chaired by FEI Veterinary Director, Dr Göran Akerström, the European Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law also includes Simon Cooper, Vice Chairman International Stud Book Committee and Director of the General Stud Book (Weatherbys); Paul-Marie Gadot, Veterinary Advisor to France Galop and the IFHA; Des Leadon, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations Veterinary Committee Chairman; Brian Kavanagh, Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive, IFHA Vice Chairman and European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation Chairman; and Ronan Murphy, European Equestrian Federation EU Committee member.
International Horse Sports Confederation
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), world governing body for horse sport, and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), joined forces in 2013 to create the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the first formal vehicle for co-operation between the world’s leading governing bodies for equestrian sport. The key mission of the IHSC is to encourage cooperation and the exchange of information on all matters of mutual interest between the IFHA and the FEI, as well as representing the collective interests of the horse industry with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other international bodies.
The FEI Driving World Championships, due to be held behind closed doors in Valkenswaard (NED) from 7-11 October, have been cancelled due to increased case numbers of Covid-19 in the Netherlands. The decision to cancel the Championships, which were for four-in-hand horse teams, was made by the City of Valkenswaard today.
“It is devastating that the FEI Driving World Championships at Valkenswaard have had to be cancelled at the last minute, as everyone involved has put in so much effort to try and make them happen”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said, “but sadly the new Government restrictions in the Netherlands make it impossible for the Championships to go ahead next week.
“The start list for the Championships was looking very strong in such a challenging year for our sport, with 13 nations lined up to take part, including eight with full teams, but it is clear that health considerations have to take priority.
“We have done everything possible to hold these Championships, including looking at a possible alternative venue in Germany, and we are very grateful for the proposal we received, but regrettably it is simply not feasible given the short timeframe, ongoing concerns around Covid-19 and restrictions imposed by the authorities.”
The United States of America, which won gold on home ground at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Tryon (USA), was not going to be defending its team title as they had just one driver heading for Valkenswaard, but Australia’s Boyd Exell, who took the individual title on the final day in North Carolina two years ago, was aiming to defend his crown.
Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands and Poland were all due to send teams to the Championships, while Austria, Romania, Switzerland, Uruguay and the USA were the five nations sending individuals.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a case involving two Prohibited Substances.
The case involves the horse Leslie O’Nil (FEI ID 105PA88/FRA), ridden by Ludovic Saroul (FEI ID 10014413/FRA). Samples taken from the horse at the CEI2* 120 in Al Ula (KSA) on 2 February 2019 tested positive for the Banned Substances Mephentermine and Oxetacaine.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and the athlete. The FEI Tribunal took note that the FEI accepted that the athlete bore no significant fault or negligence for the rule violation, as he was able to establish how the Prohibited Substances entered the horse’s system.
As a result, the period of ineligibility was set at 18 months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (10 September 2020). The provisional suspension (effective from 11 March 2019) was credited against the full suspension, meaning that the athlete was ineligible until 10 September 2020.
The results of the athlete and horse at the event were disqualified and the athlete was ordered to pay a fine of CHF 1,500. Each of the parties will bear its own legal costs.
The FEI Tribunal Final Decision can be found here.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the Final Decision.
Notes to Editors:
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances
The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.
In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.
Specified Substances
The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
The FEI Board has suspended the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a detailed investigation into the circumstances around two National Endurance Events (CEN) in January and February 2020 - the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and The President's Cup – that should have been held as International Endurance Events (CEIs) as the number of foreign athletes far exceeded the quota permitted for National Events.
Under Article 101 of the FEI General Regulations, National Events must be limited to no more than four National Federations (NF) and/or more than 15 foreign Athletes aside from “Athletes living outside their country of nationality” (Article 119.6 of the FEI General Regulations). However, in this particular case, the investigation led by Bird & Bird LLP, found that a total of 93 foreign Athletes from 24 different NFs participated in the 2020 Sheikh Mohammed Cup and total of 88 foreign Athletes from 21 different NFs participated in the 2020 President's Cup.
The FEI Board met via videoconference on 16 September to hear presentations from Bird & Bird and the UAE NF legal representatives. Legal counsel from both parties responded to questions from the FEI Board prior to the Board Members reaching their in-principle decision, which has been formally notified to the UAE NF on 24 September 2020.
The Board concluded that the UAE NF had violated the FEI Rules, in particular, Articles 101, 109.2 and 100.7.2 of the FEI General Regulations and Article 2.8 of the FEI Statutes (see Notes to Editors below). In the case of the Sheikh Mohammed Cup, the violations were deemed intentional, and in the case of the President’s Cup, the violations were considered at the very least negligent. The Board also concluded that the reason for re-classifying the events as CENs was to avoid the application of the new FEI Endurance Rules that were scheduled to take effect as of 1 January 2020.
Given the serious nature of the rule violations, the FEI Board unanimously agreed that a significant sanction was required and in accordance with Article 8.3 of the FEI Statutes, the UAE NF will be suspended with effect from 24 September 2020 as follows:
The suspension also affects any events (including national Events) in the UAE, which become “Unsanctioned Events” during the suspension period and any FEI Athlete, Horse or Official participating will be liable to a period of ineligibility of up to six months in accordance with Articles 113.4 and 155.7 of the FEI General Regulations.
The Board also imposed a financial sanction on the Organisers, requiring them to pay a percentage of the prize money – 50% for the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and 10% for The President’s Cup - as well as the organising dues that would have been payable to the FEI had the Events been held as CEIs. The Board also decided that the UAE NF must pay the FEI’s legal fees. The suspensions imposed on the UAE NF will remain in place until all financial sanctions have been paid in full to the FEI, as per Article 164.5 of the FEI General Regulations.
“The decision to suspend the UAE National Federation was not taken lightly, but it reflects our commitment to good governance, integrity and horse welfare”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“Regrettably we were forced to suspend the UAE Federation in 2015 following an investigation into Endurance horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations. It is extremely disheartening that we are tackling similar issues in 2020 and that we have had to revert to the suspension of the National Federation. However, the UAE National Federation’s clear intent to avoid the application of the new Rules at the biggest events in their calendar was reflected in their actions around these two events and, as a community, we cannot allow individual NFs to apply the rules only as and when it suits them.
“It is my sincere hope that this suspension will drive change within the Federation and give rise to a new era for Endurance in the UAE equestrian community.”
The UAE National Federation was notified of the decision by the FEI on 24 September 2020 and has 21 days to appeal the decision to the FEI Tribunal.
Notes to Editors:
Please refer to the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Rules & Regulations
Article 2.8 of the FEI Statutes states:
It is a condition of membership that National Federations comply with, and are bound by the FEI Rules and Regulations including but not limited to the Statutes, General Regulations, Sport Rules (which include the FEI Human and Equine Anti-Doping Rules) and any Decision issued by the authorised bodies of the FEI in relation to the conduct of international equestrian Events, all of which shall also bind Organising Committees, Officials, Horse Owners, Persons Responsible, Athletes, team officials and other individuals and bodies involved in FEI Events.
In addition, by virtue of accepting an accreditation to an FEI Event, such person agrees to be bound by the FEI Rules and Regulations. National Federations are granted an exclusive license to use, modify, print and distribute as appropriate the documents referred to in this Article, which are FEI property, for the purpose of regulating Equestrian Sport within their national territory.
Article 100.7.2 of the FEI General Regulations states:
To ensure that all clubs and societies affiliated to NFs and all OCs abide by the GRs and Sport Rules when organising International Events or Competitions.
Article 101.1 of the FEI General Regulations states:
A National Event (CN) is limited to national Athletes who shall take part according to the regulations of their NF. Foreign Athletes may only take part, subject to the appropriate laws if applicable, as specified under paragraphs 2 and 3 below or under Article 119.
Article 101.3 of the FEI General Regulations states:
3.1 Not counting "Athletes Living Outside their Country of Nationality" (Article 119.6), a CN with more than 4 NFs and/or more than fifteen (15) foreign Athletes is allowed if it would be within the requirements of a CIM. If a CN under such conditions takes place, there will be no ranking or qualification points earned.
3.2 Any other CN with more than four (4) NFs and/or more than fifteen (15) foreign Athletes (not counting "Athletes Living Outside their Country of Nationality" as per Article 119.6) is not allowed [the Foreign Athlete Quota]. If a CN under such conditions takes place, there will be no ranking or qualification points earned. Furthermore, after consultation with the NF, the OC can be subject to further sanctions and eventually to a fine in an amount commensurate with the violation and taking into account the circumstances of the violation and possibly up to the total prize-money paid out at such Event, if any.
Article 109.2 of the FEI General Regulations states:
International Competitions may never be held under national rules.
Articles 113.4 of the FEI General Regulations states:
An Athlete and/or Horse, even if registered with the FEI, is not eligible to participate in an International Event or National Event (and so may not be invited by an OC to such Event or entered by an NF in such Event) if that Athlete and/or Horse has participated, in the six (6) months prior to the first day of the International Event or National Event in question, in an Unsanctioned Event.
Articles 155.7 of the FEI General Regulations states:
An Official is not eligible to participate in an International Event or National Event (and so may not be invited or nominated to participate in such event) if he/she has participated, in the six (6) months prior to the first day of the International Event or National Event in question, in an Unsanctioned Event.
All FEI Rules & Regulations can be found here.
FEI Board
The FEI Board is made up of the President, Ingmar De Vos (BEL); Vice President and Chair of the FEI Regional Group VIII, Jack C. Huang (TPE); Vice President and Chair Group IV, Mark Samuel (CAN); Chair of Group VII, Sami Al Duhami (KSA); Chair of Group V, Carmen Barrera (ESA); Chair of Group IX, Mary Binks (KEN); Chair of the Jumping Committee, Stephan Ellenbruch (GER); Chair of the Driving Committee, Karoly Fugli (HUN); Chair of Group VI, Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA); Chair of the Athletes’ Committee, Maria Gretzer (SWE); Chair of the Veterinary Committee, Jenny Hall (GBR); Chair of the Dressage Committee, Frank Kemperman (NED); Chair of the Audit & Compliance Committee, Brian Mangan (IRL); Chair of the Eventing Committee, David O’Connor (USA); Vice President EEF Group Armagan Özgörkey (TUR); President EEF Group, Theo Ploegmakers (NED); Chair of Group EEA, Marina Sechina (RUS) and Chair of the Endurance Committee, currently filled by Dr Sarah Coombs (GBR), Chair of the Endurance Temporary Committee.
The FEI will make close to CHF 3 million available in development funding through FEI Solidarity, including just over CHF 1 million through the newly created FEI Covid-19 Relief Fund for National Federations that have been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
The new Relief Fund was approved by the FEI Board at its online meeting on 10 September. Allocation of funds to over 40 National Federation projects in 23 countries and other development initiatives go forward for approval at the FEI General Assembly 2020, which will be hosted online in November.
A total of 105 of the 137 National Federations have been identified as eligible for support from the Covid-19 Relief Fund, which will provide targeted financial assistance to boost grass roots equestrian activities at riding clubs and schools, particularly the care and upkeep of horses.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact globally, and a major adverse effect on the equestrian world in general but some countries, especially those that had fewer economic resources to begin with, have been hit particularly hard,” FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos said.
“The Covid-19 Relief Fund will provide a financial injection aimed at maintaining equestrian activities in these countries and we hope that it will allow these communities to withstand the current economic difficulties created by the pandemic.
“The FEI has had to undertake cost saving measures across the board, but without impacting essential services to our community. While this has meant the cancellation or postponement of what we have identified as ‘non-essential’ projects, that has not affected FEI Solidarity, which makes funds available so that we can provide support to those most in need, particularly in the Covid-19 era.
“We want our community to know that we are constantly listening and monitoring their needs and that we are committed to assisting them during this difficult time.”
The FEI Covid-19 Relief Fund was initially presented by the FEI President to the FEI Solidarity Committee during its annual meeting in early September and will be funded by the FEI Solidarity reserves that have been built up in recent years.
During their meeting, the Committee also agreed to make available emergency funding for Lebanon to assist the country’s recovery from the devastating explosion in Beirut at the beginning of August. The funds will be provided to the National Federation of Lebanon to provide vital support to ensure horse welfare.
The FEI Solidarity Committee also awarded the first FEI Gender Equality Grant to the National Federation of Costa Rica, following a bid process open to all National Federations, to support the organisation of courses promoting female participation and development at all levels of the sport in Latin America.
The grant of CHF 20,000 was created to promote and encourage gender equality in equestrian sport around the world and will be awarded annually to one National Federation project or programme with the aim of promoting gender equality on or off the field of play. This includes, but is not limited to, programmes relating to governance and administration, the growth of athlete participation or the development of skills for coaches, officials, grooms and farriers.
“We’re fully committed to providing our members with the tools and resources that will help to develop our sport, and promote the values which are at the heart of our community. Gender equality is inherent in our competition structure and we are dedicated to ensure that this is replicated at all levels of management throughout the industry”, Ingmar De Vos said.
“Now, more than ever, we need to stay positive and take concrete action that will assure our long term future. We’re at a crunch point and it is important for us to work together to ensure our collective well-being in the future.”
About FEI Solidarity
Launched in 2011 by former FEI President HRH Princess Haya, FEI Solidarity promotes and develops equestrian culture and sport worldwide in a sustainable and structured way, working directly with the FEI’s member National Federations and recognised Continental Associations by providing the tools, the knowledge and the infrastructure required to develop the sport and nurture talent from grassroots to the world stage.
FEI Solidarity support is focussed on four key pillars of activity (National Federation, Athlete, Coach and Values) with specific programmes available in each of the pillars in order to best target and fulfil specific development needs. For more information visit the FEI Solidarity Hub on InsideFEI.org.
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decisions in two cases involving Prohibited Substances.
The first case involves the horse Captain Future 3 (FEI ID 104OK61/AUT), ridden by Felix Koller (FEI ID 10067976/AUT). Samples taken from the horse at the CSIO5*- NC EUD1 in St. Gallen (SUI), 30 May to 2 June 2019, tested positive for the Banned Substance Diisopropylamine.
In its Final Decision dated 18 August 2020, the FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and the athlete. It was found that the team veterinarian most likely injected the horse at the event. The FEI Tribunal took note that the FEI accepted that the athlete bore No Significant Fault or Negligence for the rule violation. Therefore, the standard two-year applicable period of ineligibility was reduced to one year, with the provisional suspension (effective from 7 August 2019) credited against the full suspension, meaning that the athlete was ineligible until 6 August 2020. The results of the athlete and horse at the event were disqualified and the athlete was ordered to pay a fine of CHF 1,500. Each of the parties will bear its own legal costs.
The second case involves the horse Gelo Delle Schiave (FEI ID 104RW65/ITA), ridden by Pierluigi Sangiorgi (FEI ID 10025969/ITA). Samples taken from the horse at the CDI-W in Lipica (SLO), 24-26 May 2019, tested positive for the Banned Substance Aripiprazole.
The FEI Tribunal, in its Final Decision dated 26 August 2020, ruled that the athlete bore No Fault or Negligence for the Rule violation, as he was able to establish that the Prohibited Substance entered the horse’s system through the ingestion of straw bedding that was contaminated through urination by the support personnel. The standard two-year applicable period of ineligibility was therefore eliminated. The results of the athlete and horse at the event were disqualified. Each party will bear its own legal costs.
The Final Tribunal Decisions can be found here.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the Final Decisions.
Notes to Editors:
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances
The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.
In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.
**Specified Substances
The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
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