Rollkur row under discussion by FEI

Rollkur will be debated at the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) general assembly later this month, following the so-called “blue tongue” row that broke out two weeks ago.

The row erupted after a video of Swedish rider Patrik Kittel warming up his horse Watermill Scandic in Odense, Denmark, using hyperflexion — or rollkur — was posted by a Danish journalist on YouTube.

At one point, the horse hangs his tongue out of the side of his mouth and it appears to go blue.

The FEI immediately announced it would investigate, and last week said it was giving the issue of rollkur “special attention”.

A spokesman said: “The topic has been put on the agenda of the FEI meeting on 15 November in Copenhagen and important developments will be announced as soon as possible.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (12 November, ’09)

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