The Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has joined the Swiss Equestrian Federation in asking the FEI for an independent commission to review the animal welfare and doping issues in the sport of Endurance.
While the FEI is establishing a committee to conduct an investigation, it is to consist mainly of representatives who are closely affiliated to the FEI and who have, in some cases, long occupied leading positions in international endurance sport.
Both federations are lobbying to have the committee restructured to include independent, unbiased experts who can develop improvement proposals and solutions. They ask that the remaining members of the committee be recruited from a pool of neutral judges, veterinarians, trainers, riders and other equestrian experts. Further, they noted that they FEI should look for members with experience in other equestrian disciplines. In a statement, the Dutch Equestrian Federation noted: “The FEI needs to realize that welfare and image troubles in one of the equestrian disciplines can have very negative consequences for the Equestrian sport in total.”
For more information on the Swiss Equestrian Federation’s letter to the FEI, click here.
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