You are here: Home / Articles / News
Aachen takes a stand for clean horse sport and will not allow bute
25 November, 2009
Check out the latest H&H subscription offers >>
One of the most prestigious events in the horse sport calendar has been the first to take a stand against the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) rule to allow bute in competition.
Horses will not be allowed to compete at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen in Germany next year if they have been given bute or any of the other five controversial substances permitted by the FEI last week.
"We do not want unsound or injured horses in our sport," said Michael Mronz, general manager of the Aachener Reitternier GmbH.
"The CHIO Aachen 2010 will not be carried out on the basis of the current FEI regulations, but according to the ethics of clean sport."
Aachen director Frank Kempermann was one of the many vocal opponents to the plans during the FEI general assembly in Copenhagen last week.
Elected as chairman of the FEI's dressage committee, Kempermann made no secret his vehement opposition to the new prohibited substances list — allowing six drugs to be given — after they were voted in.
Afterwards, he said: "The FEI's decision is a contradiction to our idea of clean sport."
In Germany, giving isoxuprine to a horse is a criminal offence.
A spokesman for the FEI said: "As an international event, CHIO Aachen will be run under FEI rules. However organisers of FEI international events will not be required to adopt any elements of the new prohibited substances list that violate the national law of the jurisdiction in which the competition is being held.
"European countries have been contacted to establish where such exceptions will need to be made."
• An online petition has been set up to fight the new ruling. Visit www.no-fei.com
Related articles:
- Worldwide support for delayed return of bute in horse sport
- Horse sport anti-doping rules explained on new website
- FEI gives in to pressure on bute issue and suggests further delay
- Racehorse drug testing to be more stringent and targeted
- Equestrian nations worldwide back delay on new bute regulations
- FEI backtracks over bute and delays rule implementation to 5 April
- Badminton Horse Trials 'very unhappy' that bute is allowed
- Senior vets demand Princess Haya reopens 'bute debate'
- Tony Andre Hansen loses appeal to Court of Arbitration in Sport
- British vets say bute in competition will lead to 'catastrophic injuries'
Subscribe to Horse & Hound and Save
Enjoy all the latest equestrian news and competition reports delivered straight to your door every week.
Click here to subscribe now