Endurance: The United Arab Emirates Signs the Memorandum of Understanding Proposed by the FEI

In light of last year’s abuses, which led to the cancellation of world-class events held in the Emirates and subsequently to the suspension of the Emirati national federation, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) had ordered the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) to approve a number of proposed measures to ensure compliance with horse welfare standards and international regulations by mid-February 2016. This has now been accomplished, as an agreement was reached between the two federations on February 13. It covers 12 concrete measures that will be implemented during both international (CEI) and national (CEN) endurance competitions for the remainder of the 2016 season.   The protocol adopted by the EEF represents a decisive step toward stricter regulation of endurance races in the Gulf countries, coupled with a shift in attitudes and behaviors toward horses. It is largely inspired by the new rules already in place at Bouthieb, one of the three endurance venues in the Emirates, under the leadership of Sh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In effect since late December 2015, these new regulations have so far helped protect approximately 1,000 horses competing at Bouthieb. Of that total, only five required veterinary care, but were discharged from the veterinary clinic by the end of the day. This spectacular result offers hope that the country will gradually move away from the obsession with speed at all costs—and from the sight of “motorcycle horses” dying of exhaustion or being euthanized due to fractures.   It was on this new foundation—notably speed limits achieved by lowering the permitted heart rate and reducing the time spent at the vet gate—that, on the very day the agreement was signed, the 160-km CEI 3* HH President Cup race took place at the Al Wathba site (Abu Dhabi). If effectively enforced, the new rules should revolutionize the practice of endurance riding in the Emirates, greatly benefiting horse welfare and protection.   Ultimately, by signing the FEI agreement covering twelve technical measures, the EEF has committed to:

• reduce the number of events for the remainder of the season;
• reduce the number of pairs entered in a competition to 150;
• lower the maximum heart rate to between 56 and 60 bpm for all loops in one-star competitions, and in the final loop of two- and three-star CEI and CEN events;
• reduce the recovery time to 10 to 15 minutes for all rounds in 1* events, and in the final round of 2* and 3* CEI and CEN events;
• increase the duration of rest periods between loops to 50 minutes, following a review of the potential benefits for the horses by the official veterinarians;
• monitor the last 2 to 5 kilometers of the final loop to prohibit access by cars and team members;
• limit the provision of bottled water during the final loop to only pre-designated distribution points, located every 2 to 5 km;
• house all horses entered in CEI 3* and 4* races in secure stables, in accordance with FEI regulations;
• consider the footage produced by the designated television broadcasters as the official record of the race, as their footage may then be used to take legal action against any violator of the regulations;
• identify each competitor with a numbered bib corresponding to their horse’s number, immediately retrieve this bib upon the horse’s elimination from the competition, and allow only those holding a bib with the same number as their horse to accompany and care for the horse;
• organize a mandatory meeting to review the rules before each event and notify the competitors present of any changes to the rules, with those absent being automatically disqualified;
• appoint race officials in place of the organizing committees.

  But there is still a long way to go, if the latest incidents captured on video* at the finish line of a 120-km race—reserved for young riders—that took place in late January in Al Wathba are any indication. However, this time, the EEF took action and imposed sanctions: five riders and five trainers were suspended for six months, and the violations—deemed serious—resulted in fines . While waiting for better days for Emirati horses, voices continue to speak out against** the World Endurance Championships, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates in December 2016... Beyond the UAE, the FEI is also considering a more far-reaching reform of the discipline, both in substance and form. Labels and new formats, qualification, education, the establishment of circuits, sponsorship, and the environment are thus on the agenda for the sport’s development plan.   * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-tkhQvquUQ&feature=youtu.be ** https://www.change.org/p/ingmar-de-vos-president-f%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration-equestre-internationale-say-no-to-2016-world-endurance-championships-in-horse-hell?recruiter=486719702&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink