Riders from stables owned by members of the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai received 3 of the 4 yellow warning cards handed out in Dubai (21-22 March). This comes as the FEI clamps down on rule-breaking in Middle East endurance.
2 broke multiple rules and administered unauthorised fluids and were also disqualified. 2 others showed “incorrect behaviour” towards officials.
14 cards have been awarded since February — more than in the whole of 2013.
The FEI Endurance Strategic Planning Group has stressed it will censure officials who “turn a blind eye”.
A protest about alleged horse abuse lodged by H&H Editor Lucy Higginson and journalist Pippa Cuckson has been referred to the FEI Tribunal. It refers to footage of a horse being struck during the King’s Cup, Bahrain.
This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (3 April 2014)
