On the same weekend that delegates from around the world met in Switzerland to discuss ways to reform the sport of endurance, in another part of the world – Bahrain (a country on the shores of the Persian Gulf) – the King’s Cup CEI was taking place. Footage from this race shows the winning rider breaking several rules in pursuit of glory.
In the video, Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak al Khalifa’s horse can been seen slowing down towards the end of the 120km ride, and failing to respond to the rider’s vigorous encouragement. A groom then leaps from a moving vehicle and can clearly be seen striking the horse, before continuing to chase it on foot down the field of play, carrying a water bottle.
The multiple FEI rule-breaches caught on an official video include tracking of the horse by cars, unauthorized assistance by a third party; and crewing outside an official vet-gate. It is not known if the ground jury saw this footage.
In this latest video, Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak al Khalifa can be seen whipping his horse, which is also against FEI rules. Rule 810.2 states: Whips (or the use of any other item as a whip) and Spurs are prohibited.
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