Rule changes to endurance racing are due to be considered at a FEI sports forum later this month.

International governing body to consider recommendations later this month

The international Olympic equestrian governing body, Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), will consider new rules to clean up endurance competitions later this month.

The Endurance Committee is currently working on the rules revision that will be presented at the FEI Sports Forum at the end of April.

IIt follows concerns about issues of doping and horse welfare in endurance events. An international meeting attended by delegates from 23 countries discussed the development of a strategic plan for the governing of the sport, in February.

That meeting saw the emergence of a series of  recommendations in a final report from the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG).

An FEI statement this week said: "The FEI Bureau is taking the conclusions and recommendations of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG) extremely seriously and has assumed full responsibility for the delivery of clear measures that will bring about a long term solution to issues within the FEI’s fastest growing discipline.

"The ESPG conclusions and the outcome of discussions during the General Assembly in Montreux and the Endurance Conference in Lausanne clearly demonstrate the need for further improvement of the rules but also that enforcement of the rules at events is critical.

"Officials play a crucial role in rules enforcement and the FEI is aware of the need to support officials in fulfilling their duties but also to guarantee their integrity to ensure a level playing field.

"The Endurance Committee is currently working on the rules revision that will be presented at the FEI Sports Forum at the end of April."

FEI Vice Presidents John McEwen and Pablo Mayorga, and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos met with the current world Endurance champion His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on March 30 to discuss the issues surrounding the sport.

The sheik offered his full support to initiatives that will guarantee a level playing field for the sport.

It was also agreed that the use of modern technology and an overhaul of operations at Endurance events are key to solving the issues that have affected the sport.

A task force composed of representatives from the FEI Endurance Committee, the FEI Executive Board and from FEI Headquarters, as well as external experts such as IMG, global leader in sports management will look in more detail at how these aims can be achieved.

Image by FEI