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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th January 2012
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Olympics Equestrian events get FEI approval
Final sign-off given for 2012 Equestrian events.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has approved the footing which will be used during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events in Greenwich Park. The mix and integrity of the footing is vital to the welfare and comfort of the horses involved in the events, and can have relevance to the riders' safety in event of a fall.

The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) conducted tests on the footing at a site near Preston over December 20th and 21st 2011. The final mix of footing will be composed of nonwaxed sand, fibre and felt.

The tests involved internationally respected equestrian experts. Geoff Billington (Jumping) and Richard Davison (Dressage) were present at the tests and rode on the footing surface. Also present were Leopoldo Palacios, technical advisor to LOCOG, FEI Technical Delegate Frank Rothenberger, footing expert Bart Poels, and FEI Director Jumping John Roche. The technical expert's detailed reports were submitted to the FEI Executive Board for further evaluation prior to the Board's sanction and authorisation.

The test was also attended by International Jumping Riders Club representative John Whitaker, show jumping riders Peter Murphy and David McPherson, two representatives from the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, and Peter Hart, LOCOG Modern Pentathlon Competition Manager.
"The riders gave some very positive feedback on the footing and this was backed up by the technical reports we received from the officials that attended the test in December," said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos.

"The FEI Executive Board has now signed off on the footing and, together with LOCOG, we are delighted that the process is now in place to deliver the best possible footing for the 2012 Games. We are looking forward to excellent Olympic and Paralympic sport at the wonderful Greenwich Park venue next summer."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.