The International Dressage Officials Club is supporting efforts to stop horse abuse in the form of hyperflexion, or rollkur, and is urging the FEI to clarify rules under which stewards work in such situations.
It also said that when possible, judges should be present in the warm-up arena to assist stewards in the assessment of infringements, and that riders should also be aware that the public is watching closely and they need to portray a positive image of the sport to the public and the media. Riders should treat their horses fairly and with respect at all times.
The issue came to light in a video showing a horse being schooled before the World Cup round in Odense on October 18 by Swedish rider Patrick Kittel. The horse, Watermill Scandic, is shown in a hyperflexed position with its tongue flopping outside its mouth. The horse's tongue appears blue.
At its General Assembly in Stuttgart last month, the IDOC (formerly IDJC) expressed its grave concern regarding the abusive treatment of horses during the warm-up phase at FEI competitions. "The recent publicity has created a public outcry that cannot be ignored and is clearly bringing the sport of dressage into a state of disrepute," it said.
The club says it supports all officials at FEI competitions "in their efforts to bring this intolerable behaviour under control, in order to prevent any further perceived abuse of all horses being ridden under FEI rules.
"Competing at a dressage event is not limited to the short time spent in the actual
competition area; it includes stable management in general, as well as the more
extensive time spent in the warm-up and training arenas. The International Dressage
Officials Club urges the FEI to bring clarification to the rules that FEI Stewards are
expected to enforce and to provide the necessary back-up and support to their Stewards
when needed.
The FEI Bureau has told stewards in all disciplines to use the disciplinary measures available to them, such as verbal warnings and yellow warning cards, to prevent any infringement of the rules.
If a rider receives two yellow warning cards within one year, they are automatically suspended for a period of two months immediately following the event at which the second yellow warning card was received.
The FEI is working with the charity World Horse Welfare, as well as riders, trainers, officials and veterinarians, to research the issue of hyperflexion.
"The further education of stewards will also continue to ensure that welfare issues at FEI events are dealt with promptly and professionally," the FEI said.
"It is in the International Dressage Officials Club's opinion that those rules, applicable to
all equestrian disciplines, should re-emphasize the fact that any type of abuse of the
horse is strictly prohibited. With respect to hyper-flexion, it should be made clear that it is a tool that may only be used briefly and solely for corrective purposes, but not as a
continuous training method.
"Further attention should be directed at observing that the horse's chin should not touch the horse's body as a result of a method of training. The IDOC recommends that judges be present in the warmup area whenever possible to support the Stewards in this difficult and delicate task.
"The FEI rules are based on the philosophy of the horse as a happy athlete, which
implies riding in harmony avoiding negative tensions and practices harmful to the horse.
In this respect, the IDOC will remind all the dressage judges to strictly observe such an important aspect of dressage, first and foremost to preserve the welfare of the horse but also to give a proper positive image of our sport to the public and the media.
"Last but not least, the IDOC would also like to point out that is it clearly in the best interests of our sport that the International Dressage Trainers Club and International Dressage Riders Club take responsibility for the actions of its members and are on hand at future competitions to ensure that their members are made fully aware of how to convey a correct impression to the public by treating their horses fairly and with respect.
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