"Where horse welfare is concerned the FEI has to show leadership and solve problems in a structural way without making any concessions."

Follows an investigation into major horse welfare issues

The FEI Bureau has suspended the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates for an 'indeterminate period' following an investigation into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in the discipline of endurance.

Chaired by FEI president Ingmar De Vos, the bureau was unanimous in its decision to suspend the UAE National Federation.

Under the terms of the suspension, the UAE National Federation may not attend or be represented at any session or meeting of any body of the FEI,  must not organise any international events, and its members cannot participate in any international events. However, UAE athletes from disciplines other than endurance will be able to compete under the FEI flag in international competitions organised outside the UAE.

The UAE Federation have been told by the FEI that any reinstatement to FEI membership is dependent on the UAE Federation signing an agreement with the FEI, under which the UAE pledges to take such action as the FEI Bureau sees necessary to assure the FEI and all stakeholders that the UAE Federation is protecting the welfare of the horse and complying fully with the FEI rules and regulations.
 
Ingmar De Vos said: "The decision to suspend a National Federation is not something that is taken lightly and we only should do this if no other remedy can be found.

"Sadly this was the only option left, but we have to take our responsibility and must never be afraid of tackling major issues head-on. Where horse welfare is concerned the FEI has to show leadership and solve problems in a structural way without making any concessions.
 
"We were confident that strict enforcement of the new rules implemented on 1 August 2014 following adoption of the recommendations from the Endurance Strategic Planning Group would be effective in reducing the numbers of catastrophic injuries and fatalities in the UAE, but regretfully this has not been the case. There have also been other major non-compliance issues, so in the end we had no other choice than taking this drastic measure to deal with an unacceptable situation.”

The UAE National Federation was notified of the suspension yesterday (12 March) and has 30 days to appeal to the FEI Tribunal.