Forty British riders, officials and trainers have written an open letter to the FEI to raise concerns about new rules that require riders to complete two additional CEI3* (160km) rides in order to qualify for next year’s championships. H&H finds out more...
Concerns surrounding horse welfare in endurance and qualification for the World Championships have been raised as new rules come into play.
On 23 June the FEI announced the 2020 endurance World Championships, due to be held in Pisa, Italy, in September, would be postponed until May 2021 owing to the pandemic. This meant two endurance championships would take place next year, with the Europeans in the Netherlands scheduled for September 2021. New rules came into force on 1 July, including amended qualifying criteria for both championships, requiring riders to complete two additional CEI3* (160km) rides.
In an open letter on 6 July to the FEI, signed by 40 British riders, officials and trainers, it was said the new rules are “not conducive” to improving equine welfare, and will make it prohibitive for nations where endurance is not a professional sport to qualify a team for the championships.
The rule change is designed to promote transparency and remove the incentives to prolong an injured horse’s suffering
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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
