Equestrian sport at ‘vital juncture’ as dressage meets to handle the game’s future

The FEI is internet hosting a gathering of “in-depth discussions on addressing the challenges at the moment impacting the self-discipline of dressage”.

Stakeholders together with riders, officers, trainers, organisers and veterinary specialists, in addition to nationwide federations, might be invited to the assembly on 1 October. The FEI mentioned the occasion “marks the start of a broader technique to develop a complete long-term technique for dressage, to make sure the sustainability and progress of the self-discipline”.

H&H reported that a dressage discussion board can be held to sort out considerations within the sport. The FEI confirmed this after the Swedish equestrian federation’s horse welfare council and Gothenburg Horse Present co-hosted a gathering on the present (21–25 February) on horse welfare and social licence, at which the FEI was represented.

After the assembly, the Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish federations wrote to the FEI asking for a dressage discussion board to be arrange, including: “After a number of notable circumstances the place unacceptable coaching strategies have been revealed lately, it’s apparent that we have to act on a world degree. Regardless of all efforts to this point, there’s nonetheless a lot work that have to be finished to safe horse welfare always and to safe the game’s social licence on a world, in addition to nationwide degree.”

The FEI mentioned on the time that  it was “in full settlement that it’s our collective accountability to make sure the welfare and integrity of our sport, each inside and outdoors the world”, and that the discussion board can be held after the Paris Video games.

Confirming the assembly, FEI president Ingmar de Vos mentioned: “Our purpose now’s to collaborate intently with all our stakeholders to handle the challenges going through dressage. Whereas many in our neighborhood recognise the urgency of the state of affairs, others might not but totally grasp the vital juncture at which equestrian sport at the moment stands.

“Whereas the FEI is dedicated to looking for collective options and fostering consensus wherever potential, the protection and wellbeing of our horses stay our high precedence. Our final purpose is to make sure that dressage is a self-discipline the place the game is carried out in a way that focuses on the horse’s consolation.”

Mr de Vos mentioned the FEI is ready to take choices to make sure it’s “residing as much as our promise to ‘Be a Guardian’ for our equine companions, and to enhance the requirements of security and care in our sport”.

“Now we have proven in latest months that the FEI is able to step in and take decisive motion when the necessity arises,” he mentioned.

“As the game evolves, we should adapt and discover efficient options to present challenges. Our success will depend on the neighborhood’s willingness to method these points with an open thoughts and work collectively towards frequent floor.”

British Dressage (BD) CEO Jason Brautigam instructed H&H he intends to be on the assembly. A British Equestrian (BEF) spokesperson mentioned additionally it is anticipating an invite.

“We’ll take each alternative afforded to us, BD and the game of dressage to be concerned to assist drive optimistic change,” a BEF spokesperson mentioned.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Obsessed with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all points of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.