The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has started urgently working on a range of measures aimed at improving horse welfare in Modern Pentathlon and creating a safer riding discipline for all participants.
The actions follow a number of incidents in the Riding section of the Women’s Final at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which caused distress to the horses and athletes involved and viewers worldwide.
The measures include:
- UIPM will compose a Riding Working Group to comprehensively review the Tokyo 2020 competition and consider ways to prevent issues arising in future
- The Riding Working Group will also assess the need for amendments to the UIPM Code of Ethics for the welfare of horses, and will draft amendments if applicable
- UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann will meet with Mr Ingmar de Vos, President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), following of his offer to provide expertise and insights on horse welfare
- UIPM will draft a set of modifications to the Riding section of the UIPM Competition Rules designed to suit the new Modern Pentathlon format, which will be introduced in 2022 with fewer jumps and lower, simpler obstacles
- Recommendations from all of the above will be collated and presented to the UIPM Executive Board (EB) during its next meeting in Monaco on November 24-25, 2021
- The EB will then agree on relevant motions to be presented to UIPM 2021 Congress, taking place online on November 26-28, 2021
- UIPM will provide a new set of guidelines and online educational tools for horse welfare tailored to athletes and coaches
- UIPM will adjust the content of courses within the Coaches Certification Programme (CCP) and Judges Certification Programme (JCP) to add more emphasis on animal welfare via dedicated modules
- Training and case study materials will be provided to all UIPM Technical Delegates to better equip them to handle specific situations and scenarios in competitions starting in 2022.
President Dr Schormann said: “UIPM remains fully committed to Riding as an integral part of the Modern Pentathlon based on the vision of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
“Our Union has already adapted Modern Pentathlon in many innovative ways based on expert advice and feedback from both inside and outside of our global sporting community. The UIPM 2021 Congress provides an opportunity for National Federations to have their say.
“On behalf of the UIPM Executive Board I look forward to working with all parties concerned to ensure we make the adjustments needed to provide a safe and secure future for the Riding discipline within Modern Pentathlon.”
Disciplinary Panel
The EB is working to appoint a Disciplinary Panel, as provided for in the UIPM Code of Ethics, to rule on the events of August 6. Further information will be provided in due course.
UIPM strongly condemns any abuse, online or offline, directed at any of the individuals involved in the events of August 6. There is no place for any kind of abuse in our sport and UIPM will work with the National Federations of anyone affected to make sure the victims are receiving appropriate support.
Saint Boy update
Multiple requests have been made to UIPM for information on Saint Boy, the horse ridden by Gulnaz Gubaydullina (ROC) and Annika Schleu (GER) during the Olympic Games.
The Union has received strong assurances from the owners, via Tokyo 2020 organisers, that the horse is safe and well back home at the Minakuchi Riding Club in Shiga Prefecture.
The owners said: “He is in good health, although fatigued from competition.”
Footage and photographs of Saint Boy taken on August 11, 2021 and provided by his owners can be accessed by clicking here.
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