With a large majority, the General Assembly of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) today adopted a significant change to the existing No-Blood Rule. In the future, horses will be allowed to continue competing even if blood is visible – provided that, after a veterinary inspection, they are deemed fit to compete.
Of a total of 82 voting nations, only 20 voted against the amendment. The FEI describes the outcome as a step forward, citing greater control and transparency. Critics, however, see it as a setback for equine welfare and a blow to the integrity of the sport.
“I did not expect the FEI to so completely disregard the needs of the horses,” said Claudia Sanders, publisher of Dressur-Studien | Fair zum Pferd and initiator of the petition.
“I am deeply disappointed. This decision sends a devastating message: blood is no longer a warning sign, but merely a bureaucratic detail. We cannot and will not accept this – we will not give up the fight to protect the horses. We owe it to them.”
In its statement, the FEI acknowledged that the decision was not unanimous and announced that it intends to seek greater harmonisation of the rule across disciplines in the future.
The president of the German Equestrian Federation (FN), Prof. Dr. Martin Richenhagen, told Dressur-Studien that the FN will submit a motion at the next FEI General Assembly to harmonise the No-Blood Rule.
The editorial team of Dressur-Studien announced that the ongoing petition to preserve the original No-Blood Rule will remain active. So far, 65,581 people have signed the petition.
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