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Patrick Kittel escapes disciplinary action by FEI over 'blue tongue'
27 January, 2010
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No action will be taken against Patrick Kittel, the dressage rider at the centre of last year’s controversial “blue tongue” row.
The governing body of horse sport — the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) — has made the decision after thorough investigation of the incident in Odense, Denmark on 18 October.
The row erupted after a video clip of Patrik Kittel warming up his horse Watermill Scandic using hyperflexion — or rollkur — was posted on YouTube by a Danish journalist.
At one point, the horse hangs his tongue out of the side of his mouth and it appears to go blue. Afterwards, Patrick told H&H he had received hate mail over the incident.
The FEI immediately launched an investigation, and has ruled this week that no further action will be taken.
In a statement, the International Equestrian Federation says studies of video evidence and witness statements concluded that there is “no reliable evidence that the warm-up techniques used by Mr Kittel were excessive”.
The Swedish dressage rider has received a written warning regarding the “appropriate and inappropriate” use of warm-up techniques.
Horse sport’s governing body will continue in its review of warm-up activities.
To read the FEI statement in full.
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