Ground juries have been urged to take more serious action on the day against horse abuse, following the one-year ban later imposed by the FEI Tribunal on a jumping rider who used spiked hindboots.
Andre Schroder, 32, was handed a yellow warning card after the boots were found during a routine check at the CSI* in Samorin, Czech Republic, in May. While applauding the ground jury for prompt action, the Tribunal said it was regrettable the matter was not dealt with more severely on the day, taking into account its seriousness and the sanctions available to the ground jury. The ground jury is best placed to take the immediate necessary action to deter such practices occurring on the ground.
This is the first time the FEI Tribunal has considered a case of spiked boots. The linings contained holes in which 11 sharp spikes were concealed, over the cannon bone.
The Tribunal was “not convinced” by Schroder’s conflicting explanations. Schroder first declared that he had not seen the boots before and that they had been put on the horse Allegro by his grooms without his realizing, though there was also evidence he had shouted loudly towards his grooms to put on the boots as he went to the warm-up. Later he said he had found them on the venue’s racetrack and applied them to Allegro to “protect” him. Finally, he advised where he actually bought them, saying he had used the spiked boots “many times” and that had been allowed to use them in a rankings class at the same show. He showed no remorse.
The chief steward who questioned Schroder after the discovery said it “was very clear that this is a normal type of hind boot which he has used in many competitions previously and is the type (velcro without elastic), which is eligible for Young Horses.”
Schroder was given a yellow warning card on the day but after reading Officials’ reports from the show, further legal proceedings were taken by the FEI under Article 142 of FEI General Regulations (GRs) – “abuse” being any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse.” The GRs expressly mention the use of any device or equipment which causes excessive pain to the horse upon knocking down an obstacle as an example of abuse. Such boots are also prohibited under FEI jumping rules.
In his expert statement, FEI veterinary manager Gonçalo Paixo said: “The use of hind boots with sharp pressure points as in the present case is evidently causing pain, unnecessary discomfort and psychological distress to the horse upon any impact. Furthermore, it potentially is causing pain and unnecessary discomfort to the horse simply by placing them on the horse.”
The FEI also noted that intentional use was confirmed by Schroder’s comment to the Chief Steward “that he doesn´t need these boots, that the horse jumped well.” It could be inferred that if Allegro jumped badly these boots would be “needed” to force him to over-jump and improve his performance.
Schroder rode for Germany till 2013 but changed nationality twice and now rides for Ukraine. He was also found guilty of a breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse for engaging in an abusive training method that causes fear and the use of equipment to inflict pain and discomfort. As well as the 12-month suspension he was fined 5,000 Swiss francs and ordered to pay 2,000 Swiss francs in costs.
The Tribunal said that as an experienced rider, Schroder should have been a role model. It wanted to send a message to the equestrian community that such behaviour is not tolerated.
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