The FEI Bureau has acknowledged that while some efforts have been made by the United Arab Emirates National Federation (UAE NF) to clean up endurance in that country since the reinstatement of the national federation in July, 2015, the UAE NF cannot guarantee that horse welfare would be fully protected at the FEI World Endurance […]

Three closely-spaced endurance rides in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw at least two suspected and unreported horse deaths

The FEI is facing calls to remove the 2016 world endurance championship from Dubai, with the opinion of governing bodies now boosted by a public petition. The latest crisis stems from shocking images, which went viral, from the official ride livestream of a junior event at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on January 30th. Grooms flooded […]

A delegation of the Swiss Equestrian Federation (SEF) has liaised with the director of the FEI endurance in order to discuss the suggested measures to ensure the development of the discipline and improvement of the respect for horses. The SEF has stressed the need to improve the qualifying system for the elite races and for […]

The FEI is addressing “as a matter of urgency” instances of shock amputation of the lower limbs of Middle Eastern endurance horses

Close to 1,400 people have attended a series of FEI Endurance educational courses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE) over the past four days in advance of this week’s Endurance season opener, a CEI1* 80-kilometre ride. The attendees, numbering 1,347 in total, included athletes, trainers, grooms, Veterinarians, Judges, Technical Delegates and Stewards. The courses were […]

The FEI Bureau has welcomed a series of proposals for reform of the Endurance discipline in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but agreed unanimously that further information needs to be provided by the UAE National Federation before lifting of the provisional suspension can be considered. The FEI Bureau provisionally suspended the UAE National Federation in […]

In a letter for National Federations, the FEI has detailed what the practical implications are on athletes and officials as a result of the suspension of the Emirates Equestrian Federation after major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in Endurance. For the duration of the UAE NF’s suspension: Athletes’ Participation 1. […]

Today World Horse Welfare, international charity and independent welfare advisor to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), welcomed the suspension of the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates following a catalogue of significant horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in the discipline of endurance. World Horse Welfare Chief Executive Roly Owers […]

The FEI Bureau has suspended the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an indeterminate period following an investigation by the FEI into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in the discipline of Endurance. The Bureau, chaired by FEI President Ingmar De Vos, was unanimous in its decision […]