‘Horse will die’ warning after UAE world title

‘Horses will die’ is campaigner’s warning in response to World Endurance Championship shift United Arab Emirates.

The event was originally scheduled to take place in Verona in October, but the FEI The plug was pulled because the safety of the horses and riders could not be guaranteed.

FEI reopens tenders and There are six venues, IThese include Samorin in Slovakia and Pisa in Italy, both of which have previously hosted the event. But it will be held at the Boudheib International Endurance Village (BIEV) in February.

The FEI said that “the safety and security of human and equine athletes is the FEI’s top priority”, with a spokesperson adding: “In the wake of the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al With the guidance and support of Dr. Le Nahyan, Boudheib has implemented protocol initiatives at BIEV and other venues to ensure the welfare of the horses and equestrianism prevail.”

But Sheikh Sultan, the driver Horse welfare-led initiatives, Died three years ago.

“Clean Endurance has high hopes and the FEI credits the Championships with a venue that is not only closer to the terrain and conditions the horses are prepared for, but also lacks negative associations with respect to horse welfare and rule violations that the UAE has been known and suspended in the recent past,” A spokesman for campaign group Clean Endurance told H&H“The fact that, as far as we know, the FEI refers to the long-defunct Boudheib initiative and says that the race will benefit from forestry tracks is a bit hypocritical in our opinion. Equestrian sport needs to do a lot to sustain its social status, we believe this decision is counterproductive in that regard.”

After all the efforts to clean up the stamina, “we have regressed 10 to 15 years” and activists could not understand why the UAE had been chosen, the spokesman said.

“I don’t think there’s anything we can do right now because people know what’s going on with Boudhieb, but we’ll be watching closely and watching live. But for sure, horses will die and get hurt. No doubt about it.”

FEI president Ingmar de Vos said the federation was “very pleased with the decision”.

“The FEI Board of Directors has been impressed by the world-class permanent infrastructure and facilities provided by BIEV and by the organizers’ reliable ability to guarantee all the logistical organization of our human and equine athletes in a short period of time,” he said.

“The safety and security of human and equine athletes is the FEI’s top priority and the organizers’ record of commitment to horse welfare is a key factor. We are confident that the organizers will [run] A champion to remember and the venue will deliver on all of its promises. “

spokesman told H&H: “The FEI board is very aware of the previous disciplinary issues in the UAE, but also points out that these issues do not concern BIEV and that the sanctions imposed previously have been imposed. Therefore, the FEI believes that, according to the procedures and protocols now contained in the FEI Endurance Rules, The welfare of the horses will be guaranteed throughout the event.”

An Endurance GB spokesperson told H&H Its board is disappointed by the decision to cancel the event from Verona but understands the reasons.

“The FEI stresses that the safety and security of human and equine athletes is considered paramount when making their decisions,” she said. “They highlight the fact that the organizers have a strong track record of commitment to horse welfare and excellent facilities.

“Enduro GB recognizes that FEI now has a responsibility to ensure a world-class championship is run, with absolutely no compromises on horse welfare or fairness. With this expectation in mind, the Board supports the choices they have made based on these parameters.”

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