Kitty King riding CEYLOR L A N (1st) at The Whatley Manor International Horse Trials, in Gatcombe Park, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK on 21st September 2014
The FEI is working on changing its rules on cases of blood and whip use in eventing following two high-profile incidents.
A spokesman for the organisation confirmed that the eventing committee is working on proposals, which it is understood will be announced next month, and put to the vote at the FEI general assembly in November.
An FEI spokesman said: “The FEI eventing committee is currently working on proposals to strengthen the eventing rules regarding blood on the horse and a redefinition of the whip action allowed during competition with the express purpose of providing clarity for athletes, officials and everyone who follows the sport”.
H&H reported in the 10 May edition that the Marilyn Little incident had reignited debate over “inconsistency” in blood rules between disciplines, while Oliver’s case had led to calls for tightening of the whip rules in eventing.
FEI eventing rules state that not all cases of blood mean elimination and that in minor cases, “such as where a horse appears to have bitten its tongue or lip, or minor bleeding”, the ground jury may allow riders to continue, following investigation and consultation with the vet.
But the dressage rules state that fresh blood in a horse’s mouth during or at the end of a test means elimination. Under showjumping rules, officials may authorise wiping in “minor cases” of blood in the mouth, after which “any further evidence of blood in the mouth will result in elimination”, and any blood on the horse’s flank also leads to elimination. There is no mention of blood in current endurance rules.
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An FEI spokesman told H&H the differences are due to the disciplines’ different requirements, adding that the eventing rules “have a clear rule on welfare of the horse and a provision allowing for a review of blood on the horse”.
Oliver’s warning fell under FEI eventing rules on use of the whip.
The rules specify places the horse cannot be hit, such as on the head, as well as after the final fence, and state that whips cannot be used more than three times for any one incident, but do not specify a total number of times the whip can be used within a round or timeframe.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
