An international showjumper who used hind boots with “sharp spikes” on a horse in a “clear case of abuse” has been banned for a year, in the first case of its kind.

Ukrainian rider Andre Schröder was competing 13-year-old gelding Allegro at the CSI* in Samorin, Slovakia (6–9 May). Before the grand prix, hind boot control was performed on all horses. When the rider’s groom handed Allegro’s left boot to the assistant chief steward, it was found to have sharp pressure points on the inside. The right boot had the same points.

Schröder was told the boots were prohibited, and may cause an abuse of horse offence owing to the “dangerous” pressure points, which would cause “excessive pain” and discomfort. The steward said Schröder argued that the boots were “OK”, and he had been allowed to jump in the ranking class using them. He claimed he had bought the boots with the points inside.

The chief steward said the boots contained sharp objects, which caused pain to his finger when he pushed on them. When he spoke to Schroder, the rider’s reaction was “very clear” that the boots were “a normal type of hind boots which he used in many competitions”.

Photographs showed 11 sharp pressure points, which would sit on the cannon bone, and if the horse hit a pole the points would cause excessive pain and discomfort.

The boots were investigated by the president of the ground jury, who confirmed there were holes on the inside of the boots and in each of the holes were “sharp spikes”.

The boots were returned to Schröder’s groom, following which Schröder claimed they were not his; he had found them on the way to the warm-up arena and used them “just to protect his horse”. Following his jumping round, according to the chief steward, Schröder stated the horse didn’t need the boots as he had “jumped well”.

Schröder was given a yellow warning card for abuse of the horse and on 8 June FEI disciplinary proceedings were opened against him. He replied to the FEI on 17 June and said when he got on Allegro that day, boots had not yet been put on. He asked his grooms to get boots and put them on – but said he did not look at the boots.

The FEI told the Tribunal that by using the boots Schröder engaged in abuse of the horse, an abusive training method that caused fear, and used the horse’s equipment to inflict pain and discomfort. It was claimed the location of the sharp points were “not coincidental” and horses’ distal limbs are particularly sensitive owing to the lack of soft tissue coverage.

An expert witness statement from FEI veterinary manager Gonçalo Paixão further explained limb sensitivity and said trauma of the skin and tissues will trigger an inflammatory response and acute pain.

The FEI added that to avoid pain caused by the boots, the horse will “over-jump”. The use of such boots presents an abusive method to make horses jump higher and more carefully with the intention of competitive advantage, and the “sole purpose” is to inflict pain on a horse in an attempt to force it to perform “abnormally”.

The FEI noted Schröder’s intentional use of the boots by his comment to the chief steward that his horse “doesn’t need these boots, he jumped well”, indicating he knew fully what effect the boots would have, and had Allegro knocked jumps down, he would have “needed” them to improve his performance.

On the day Schröder claimed to officials “with no remorse” he had used the boots many times. It was clear to the FEI the abuse was a recurring event that should be considered as an aggravating circumstance.

To determine sanctioning, the FEI reviewed previous case law regarding horse abuse, but confirmed Schröder’s case was the first case of abuse carried out with abusive hind boots.

In a decision issued on 29 September, the FEI Tribunal agreed it was Schröder’s decision to use the boots, but it was unclear how often he had used them. The Tribunal also agreed that Schröder’s claims he had never seen the boots, or did not know which ones the grooms put on, were false.

The ground jury was “applauded” for prompt sanctioning at the competition, but the Tribunal wanted to highlight that “additional appropriate action” could have taken place at the time. The Tribunal considers it “regrettable” the matter was not dealt with more severely on the ground, taking into account the seriousness of the violation and the sanctions available.

As well as issuing warnings and yellow cards, the ground jury may impose a fine of up to 2,000 Swiss francs (£1,588) and eliminate or disqualify a rider and/or horse.

The Tribunal said Schröder gave various, inconsistent explanations during the competition – and in his response of 17 June, which included a reference to personal difficulties with his partner which the Tribunal said were “irrelevant” and “no excuse”.

“The Tribunal considers the respondent’s behaviour amounts to an act of clear abuse of horse as well as the maltreatment of horses. Such behaviour also amounts to the most severe offences that can be committed in the context of equestrian sport. The Tribunal deems the respondent’s actions were deliberate as it was confirmed by the respondent the boots needed to be either purchased or home-made in advance,” read the decision.

“The respondent confirmed to officials, with no remorse, that he had used the boots already many times before in competition. Taking into account the respondent is an experienced rider who has been participating in the most high-profile competitions, he should be a role model and ensure compliance with the rules.”

The Tribunal suspended Schröder for 12 months, based on evidence and the mitigating circumstances; he had no disciplinary history and it was unclear how much he had used the boots. His results from the competition were disqualified, he was fined 5,000 Swiss francs (£3,971) and must pay 2,000 Swiss francs (£1,588) costs. He can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of the Tribunal’s decision.

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Piggy French has been given a yellow card because there was a visible mark on Quarrycrest Echo’s side where she used her whip during the cross-country at last week’s Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany (29 August-1 September).

The FEI eventing rules state: “If a horse’s skin is broken or has visible marks the use of whip will always be deemed to be excessive.”

Additionally, they say that: “All cases of excessive use of whip, as defined above, shall automatically be sanctioned with a yellow warning card or by stronger sanction(s).”

British team rider Piggy said: “I feel really sad because this overshadows how amazing my horse was on Saturday. I felt he backed off through the tough water complex [the Meßmer Teich at fence 12abc] so, in order to ensure his safety and mine, my reaction was to give him a couple of reminders.

“Of course I accept the yellow card, but the welfare of my horse is always my top priority and I would be deeply upset if anyone thought I’d ever do anything that wasn’t fair or in his best interests. I know him extremely well and he’s my friend in all this.”

Article continues below…

More news from the European Championships:

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Piggy finished the cross-country course clear inside the 10min 10sec optimum time with Jayne McGivern’s 12-year-old chestnut Quarrycrest Echo, after a dressage score of 29.8.

She went on to have the second part of the double at fence four down in the final showjumping on Sunday, finishing on a score of 33.8 for 15th place individually and providing a counting mark towards the British team’s silver medal.

Full report from the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany, in Horse & Hound magazine this week (dated 5 September), including exclusive columns from Mark Phillips and ground jury president Martin Plewa.

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Eventer Gemma Tattersall says she was devastated to be given a yellow card during the cross-country at the Millstreet Event Rider Masters (ERM) leg.

Gemma was given the sanction by FEI officials for “excessive use of the whip” on Quicklook V on Saturday (24 August).

The 14-year-old mare had already knocked a flag at one fence and Gemma told H&H she had been running through the bridle towards a corner, where she again knocked the flag, so she “tapped her on the shoulder” on landing.

“That’s what I got the card for,” Gemma said. “I didn’t hit her hard, I wasn’t cross, there was no malice in it and no mark on her.

“It was just a ‘come on, stay on your game, concentrate and don’t run through the flags’.

“I’d never, ever dream of hurting any of my horses in a million years; I adore her.”

Gemma said that she respects and accepts the rules, but was very upset to be given this sanction.

“I was correcting her,” she said. “I was trying to ride with sympathy; I felt she didn’t like the mud and didn’t want to gallop in it so I didn’t push her on to try to win some of the ERM prize money, I looked after her. I backed off, gave her a pat and said ‘we’ll go at this pace’. She had a lovely ride.

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Gemma said: “It’s the most horrendous feeling [to be given the yellow card]. I accept the rules and don’t want to break them and I’ll do my best in the future not to.”

FEI eventing rules state that the whip may not be used more than twice per “incident”.

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Two yellow cards and three verbal warnings were given out by FEI officials at the South of England International Horse Trials last month.

Chelsea Pearce and Khia Cadney-Moon were given the cards, for excessive use of whip and excessive use of bit causing bleeding respectively.

Former Burghley winner Chris Burton was given a verbal warning for hitting a horse on the head, and one for issues with a microchip, while Katie Bleloch was also warned for “hitting and jumping horse in the collecting ring after [cross-country]”.

Chelsea said her horse Albert VI had had an issue with the water at Blair CIC3* in August, then also refused at the South of England CIC2*.

“I put it down to the fact he’d lost a bit of confidence, maybe from tackling his first three-star,” she told H&H. “I gave him a couple of smacks once he’d stopped, and we went on to be eliminated.

“He’s quite a big horse and even in the dressage, I have to be quite firm with my aids, but I know this was the wrong way to go about it. It was more of an in-the-moment thing, which I regret doing.”

Khia said she was “devastated” to get a phone call two days after the event to tell her of the yellow card decision, relating to Milwaukee 8 in the CIC*.

“It was a complete shock to me as the FEI did not speak to me on the day,” she told H&H. “I was trying a new bit, which was legal, as this particular horse can get strong across country. Unfortunately this was the cause of a small rub on one side of the mouth, which I was unaware of until the finish.

“The vet on site came to check the horse and on examination stated that no treatment was necessary.

“As I understood at the time the vet was not at all concerned by the horse’s welfare and no further action was to be taken. The wellbeing and care of my horses is absolutely paramount at all times and I am very sorry for this regrettable incident.”

Chris said of his warnings: “The two incidents at South of England were unfortunate for myself and my horses. I took an unaffiliated horse to work who was misbehaving.

“The other offence was for a new ride to our yard, which was found [to be] without a microchip. This was a surprise to us as she has done many FEI competitions with her previous rider.

“Ultimately I am the person responsible and I take this side of the sport very seriously. Officials have a job to do and they exercised their right as they saw fit in accordance with the FEI rules. I have accepted and respect the decisions made.”

Continues below…

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Katie told H&H she is disputing the circumstances of her verbal warning, as she said the incident took place on the cross-country rather than in the collecting ring after her round, on Bulano in the CIC2*.

“My horse stopped and I turned him to go and jump the fence again, but then decided to retire,” she said.

“I put my hand up to retire, then gave him a smack after that. I definitely didn’t jump him again in the warm-up, and it was one smack.”

Following the incidents, an FEI spokesman emphasised that the rules and sanctions are in place to safeguard horse welfare and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors.

“As the global governing body, our key role is to govern equestrian sport, and two crucial elements of that are safeguarding horse welfare and ensuring a level playing field,” the spokesman said.“The FEI is responsible for putting in place welfare standards for competing horses and ensuring that the rules are implemented and adhered to at all levels of competition.

“FEI officials work on site at all FEI events and one of their roles is to make sure the FEI rules are not only respected, but also enforced. Ground juries in all disciplines use the disciplinary measures available to them, such as verbal warnings and yellow warning cards, to penalise infringements of those rules which cover all aspects of the sport’s governance.

“As article 169 (7.1) of the FEI general regulations explains: a yellow warning card may be delivered to the person responsible by the ground jury in cases of offences which are of a less serious nature and/or in cases specified in the sport rules, such as incorrect behaviour towards event officials. The significance of the yellow warning card is the fact that an athlete will incur a suspension if they are sanctioned with a yellow warning card twice (in eventing this must be for the same offence) within a 12 month period, so there is a strong deterrent effect.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Norwegian event rider Heidi Bratlie Larsen has been given a yellow card by the FEI for “abuse of the horse/riding an obviously lame horse” during the eventing World Championships in Tryon.

Heidi was riding her own 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood, Euforian, on the cross-country at the World Equestrian Games on Saturday 15 September, when the ground jury pulled her up after fence 21.

Euforian, who appeared lame in walk upon being pulled up, was taken by horse ambulance to the onsite veterinary treatment centre where he was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury.

When approached by Horse & Hound about the incident, Heidi said: “He is the most special horse I have ever had and I would never do anything to hurt him on purpose.”

In a statement posted on Heidi’s Facebook page after the cross-country, she said: “At the last water jump, I suspected something didn’t feel right and thought to stop, but I could not do it until I was stopped right after. That I was stopped was absolutely right, and I would have done it myself. That the World Championship did not end as planned now means little. ‘Grålle’ is the most important thing to me.”

The pair have since returned home and Heidi posted on 20 September: “Grålle is doing fine and we are back in Europe.”

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Heidi, 33, and Grålle finished 39th at last year’s European Eventing Championships in Strzegom. They also finished fifth in the CCI3* at Saumur, France in May 2018 and were 18th in the CIC3* at Gatcombe prior to travelling to Tryon. Euforian has seven CIC3* and four CCI3* completions to his name.

The grey, who Heidi started competing internationally in 2014, is the only horse she has campaigned to three-star level.

For indepth reports and analysis from the World Eequestrian Games, make sure you pick up your copy of Horse & Hound magazine, issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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Twenty-one yellow warning cards were handed out in a single weekend at the start of the UAE endurance season, as the crackdown on rule-breaking steps up.

Numerous violations were spotted on the livestream from the first major CEI/CEN at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on 22 October, in addition to many sanctioned on the day by the ground jury.

There was a completion rate of just 18% in the CEI 100Km (20 of 108 starters), no reduction in average speeds, instances of extra-long reins used as whips, and riders retiring just before vet-gates to avoid the penalty points and mandatory rest periods that follow disqualification for metabolics.

The UAE was suspended in March, reinstated only after signing a legal agreement. The FEI declined to comment how long the UAE has to improve standards before another suspension is considered.

“The FEI is actively monitoring,” said a FEI spokesman. “The UAE federation is taking its responsibility seriously, and doing its utmost to deliver competitions with horse welfare as its first priority.”

Most yellow cards resulted from crewing violations.

One horse collapsed near the finish, though got up unaided and was given a full veterinary examination.

The FEI said the high elimination rate resulted from vigilant vetting. All horses eliminated for heart rate recovery, metabolics or unsoundness went to the clinic, only four required “immediate invasive treatment”, and there were no fractures.

At another ride, prominent trainer Ali Al Muhairi, currently serving a record four-year doping ban, was spotted in the vet-gate. The FEI tribunal is considering a previous allegation that Al Muhairi entered the field of play while suspended. This new evidence has been added to the file.

FEI endurance chiefs Brian Sheahan and Manuel de Mello have also written to officials warning that turning a blind eye is “all it takes for a serious and damaging incident to occur”.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 12 November 2015

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Two riders have been reprimanded by the FEI for their riding during the cross-country at Burghley Horse Trials earlier this month (6 September).

New Zealand’s Megan Heath (pictured above) has been handed a yellow card for abuse of the horse due to excessive use of the whip on St Daniel. Megan had two refusals at fence four — the Lord Burghley Hurdles in the main arena — and was then eliminated for a third refusal at the seventh fence.

Megan moved to the UK to pursue her career back in 2005 and juggles a city job in London with competing.

Aoife Clark has been given a verbal warning for dangerous and inappropriate riding on Vaguely North.

Aoife survived a hairy moment on her return through the Discovery Valley before having a glance off at the Rolex Combination. The combination then fell at the Stamford crossing.

Aoife also recieved a verbal warning for dangerous/irresponsible riding aboard Fenyas Elegance at the World Equestrian Games (29 August).

The FEI yellow card system has been under scrutiny this year after Mary King served a three-month ban for receiving two yellow cards for the same offence within a six-month period. Mary’s fans set up an online petition to try and have the ban removed.

Last month it also emerged that a 7hh miniature pony had been at the centre of a yellow card dispute. America’s Katie Frei was given the card after her horse’s travelling companion “Spartacus” escaped at an event in Kalispell, Montana.

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 11 September 2014

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As H&H magazine went to press, the FEI announced that a protest brought by former H&H editor Lucy Higginson and H&H contributor Pippa Cuckson (pictured) against the FEI for a ground jury’s handling of a horse abuse case in endurance has been successful.

The pair protested that the yellow card awarded to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa was an insufficient penalty for the abuse of his winning horse in the King’s Cup 120km endurance race at Sakhir, Bahrain earlier this year (8 February). The FEI Tribunal upheld the protest and ruled he should be disqualified.

Videos from the race caused an outcry on social media. The clips showed a groom leaping out of a following vehicle and beating the horse several times (news, 13 February). A second clip showed the rider lashing the horse with exceptionally long reins, against FEI rules.

After the video went viral the FEI reported that the Sheikh had been handed a yellow card for “abuse of the horse”.

This ruling could have large ramifications for the FEI’s yellow card procedure as it has overruled the ground-jury with the benefit of “hindsight”.

In May, the same rider received a further yellow card for abuse and was automatically suspended for two months.

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 18 September 2014

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Two eventers have been yellow carded for their riding during the cross-county phase at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (29 August).

Canada’s Hawley Bennett-Awad (pictured top) and Sweden’s Anna Hilton were both handed yellow cards for “dangerous riding”.

Anna’s ride Matrix fell at the final water complex and she has been given her card for “causing a horse fall”.

Hawley was carded for continuing after three refusals.

New Zealand’s Tim Price and Ireland’s Aoife Clark both received verbal warnings by the FEI.

Tim, was rebuked for abuse of horse/riding a tired horse. He was pulled up, with his Luhmühlen-winning ride Wesko, by the ground jury before the finish.

Tim’s bad week continued when he was tipped off at the fourth fence at Burghley last weekend (6 September) when Ringwood Sky Boy left a leg at the Lord Burghley Hurdles in the main arena.

Ireland’s Aoife Clark was told off for dangerous/irresponsible riding aboard Fenyas Elegance in Normandy. Aoife fell from her Burghley ride Vaguely North at the Stamford Station fence on Saturday.

None of the riders involved have been reprimanded by the FEI in the past six months so there will be no further repercussions.

The FEI yellow card system has been under scrutiny this year after Mary King served a three-month ban for receiving two yellow cards for the same offence within a six-month period. Mary’s fans set up an online petition to try and have the ban removed.

Last month it also emerged that a 7hh miniature pony had been at the centre of a yellow card dispute. America’s Katie Frei was given the card after her horse’s travelling companion “Spartacus” escaped at an event in Kalispell, Montana.

First published in Horse & Hound magazine on Thursday 11 September

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Three members of the Qatari eventing squad were reprimanded for dangerous and inappropriate riding on the cross-country at Hartpury (6-10 August).

Two riders — Hassan Al-Naimi and Ali Al-Marri — received yellow cards, while Salem Khajim was given 25pen for a less severe infringement. They were competing in the CCI*.

The riders, who are based at Joss Gray’s Oxfordshire yard, have been regulars on the UK circuit this season in their bid to qualify for the Asian Games next month.

Ali Al-Marri failed to pull up after three refusals, while Hassan Al-Naimi took a wrong turn and jumped the string to rectify his error.

Joss, who was at Hartpury in his capacity as their coach, said: “Their transgressions were due to inexperience. They are all relative newcomers to the sport and have recently teamed up with new horses. How riders react under pressure in a competition is very different from how they are at home in training.”

He added that from a training perspective, the FEI yellow card system can be beneficial.

“We all learn by making mistakes; understanding why they happened and ensuring they are not repeated is an important part of the process.”

The Qatar Equestrian Federation has invested significantly in training and horsepower in the past 12 months (news, H&H magazine 3 April) and the country now has a team qualified to compete in the Asian Games in South Korea (24-25 September). The riders are: Ali Al-Marri, Hadi Al-Marri, Hassan Al-Naimi and Manif Al-Naimi.

“The Games are CIC* level, which is a step down from the CCI*s they have been doing to qualify,” said Joss. “It’s exciting and I am confident they can put in a good performance.”

First published in H&H magazine 28 August 2014

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A tearaway 7hh pony has become the latest member of the eventing community to be the subject of a yellow card dispute with the FEI.

Spartacus, who is the travelling companion of American rider Katie Frei’s four-star ride OTTB Houdini (pictured above), escaped at an event in Kalispell, Montana (27 July).

“I realise that minis can be frightening to some horses so we don’t intentionally take him out during the day or while the competition is running,” Katie told H&H. “But he escaped while my groom was doing morning chores and toured the grounds for about 15min.

“I was getting dressed while he was gallivanting so I didn’t personally witness his ‘reign of terror’. My groom says he ran around a little frightened, spooked some horses, that was it and I believe her.”

H&H has had reports that while loose Spartacus he tried to mount a horse who was tied to a lorry.

Spartacus’ rampage resulted in Katie being called in for a meeting with the ground jury and she has been given a yellow card for “incorrect behaviour and endangering other competitors.”

“It is partially deserved,” Katie said. “I didn’t go through the right processes to bring Spartacus on grounds. It was not closed FEI stabling so I didn’t think to bring his shot (vaccination) records.

“This is my mistake, I am sorry for it, and for that I should have some type of warning, fine or punishment.”

Despite his mischievous ways, Spartacus will continue to go to events with Houdini when needed.

“Houdini is a terrible traveller and Spartacus does a great job of keeping him at ease while on the road,” Katie added. “He is typically a big hit at the shows; he’s great at giving pony rides and loves a good competitors’ party.

“In the future, I will make sure to plan ahead better and have all of his documentation at the ready.”

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Bahrain endurance rider Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa has been suspended for 2 months after receiving his second yellow card for abuse of the horse.

The cards were given in consecutive events.

The FEI tribunal listing shows he was warned for abuse of the horse at Compiègne, France (23-25 May), his first FEI appearance since CEI Sakhir in February.

At Sakhir he was suspended by his national federation and received a FEI yellow card after a groom ran on to the field of play and beat his horse, which went on to win.

Video footage of the incident caused outcry on social media.

An online petition to have Mary King’s 2-month suspension was started this morning (13 June) and has already received more than 700 signatures.

There was outrage on social media yesterday after it emerged Mary had been given a ban for receiving her 2nd yellow card for the same offence in a year at Bramham last weekend (6-8 June).

Mary was given the yellow card for “dangerous riding” on MHS King Joules (pictured top) on whom she retired part way around cross-country course on Saturday. Last October she was given a card for the same reason, at Le Lion d’Angers, where she was riding Cavalier Venture.

The eventer said she is “shocked and devastated” by the news.

Rebecca Bignell started the petition after reading about the ban and has been “overwhelmed” by the response.

“I just felt the ban was unnecessary and unjustified,” she told H&H. “It might only be 2 months, but it could put a huge dent in her career.”

Ms Bignell has contacted the FEI about the petition but is yet to have a response.

“I would like to see the ban overturned, but at the very least I want to show the support that there is for Mary,” she added.

In this situation, it is the ground jury at the event who make the decision to give a yellow card to a rider, rather than FEI headquarters. H&H has contacted the FEI but has not yet had a response.

To sign the petition visit: www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/fei-lift-the-ban-on-mary-king 

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The winner of Bahrain’s premier endurance race — the FEI King’s Cup — at Sakhir on 8 February has been handed a yellow warning card. This was after incriminating video footage was posted by the event’s own broadcaster.

Outrage followed on social media, before the FEI announced that the judges had disciplined rider Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa with a yellow card and CHF500 (£335) fine.

The Bahraini federation has also suspended the rider and a member of his crew for the rest of the winter season.

The clips showed a groom leaping out of a following vehicle and beating the tiring horse several times.

A 2nd clip shows the rider himself striking the horse with exceptionally long reins.

H&H correspondent Pippa Cuckson saw the video during the FEI endurance conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 9 February.

Being advised by head of non-Olympic sports Ian Williams that the FEI could not act without receiving an official complaint, she agreed to lodge one herself. She believed 7 FEI rules had been breached, mostly associated with unauthorised assistance.

However, the official reason is listed on the FEI tribunal website as “abuse of the horse”.

Pippa has been in touch with the FEI legal department about the procedure for complaints; but it has emerged that the option for members of the public to protest or appeal are extremely limited.

Critics have previously pointed to the negligible use of yellow cards in endurance, compared with other equestrian sports.

This is the first given out in a Middle Eastern race in 11 months, the last also being at Sakhir.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (20 February 2014 edition)

Yellow warning cards were handed to 3 senior team officials at the young riders World Endurance Championships in Tarbes, south-west France.

But the FEI has declined to comment on why the cards were issued — or if any were connected with the alleged discovery of prohibited substances in the stables.

Tarbes (27 July) accounts for half of the yellow cards awarded in endurance in the past 8 months. Recipients were Emmett Ross (USA), Zied Abdelkefi (Tunisia) and Pilar Basombrio (Argentina), as well as 2 riders from Malaysia and the Czech Republic.

Yellow warning cards are valid for all FEI disciplines and are usually issued for a 1st offence, or when it is not deemed appropriate to bring the rider before the FEI Tribunal. But there are inconsistencies in the information that is made available about offences.

Eventing publishes a description of the alleged offence, with details such as “niggling with spurs”. But endurance merely cites “non-compliance with the rules”.

Anyone receiving 2 yellow cards in 12 months is given an automatic 2-month ban.

A FEI spokesman said: “With regard to the suggested anomaly in endurance, FEI officials act independently and in a manner they see fit.

“The FEI cannot provide additional information, apart from what is posted on the website.”

This story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (26 September 2013)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now