Dressage riders who choose to compete spurless in global competitions will now not must put on “dummy spurs” from subsequent 12 months, if a proposed rule trade is given the nod of approval.
Spurs, or dummy spurs – which offer the glance of dressed in a spur however don’t have any shank – are already non-compulsory in any respect ranges in nationwide festival.
However they’re obligatory in all global dressage competitions, apart from ponies and children-on-horses. The World Dressage Officers Membership (IDOC) is suggesting to modify that – and has the FEI’s give a boost to.
“Since ‘dummy spurs’ are allowed, it sort of feels archaic {that a} rider must acquire those spurs when they may simply as simply be allowed to move spurless,” mentioned the IDOC, within the first draft of FEI rule adjustments for 2024.
That is only a recommendation at this level. The FEI regulations revision procedure way stakeholders have till 16 August to offer comments, sooner than the overall draft is created. Nationwide federations will vote at the 2024 regulations on the common meeting in November.
H&H reported final week on different key proposals on this first draft. Those come with an “equestrian constitution”, tweaks to qualification regulations for match horses returning to four- and five-star after a smash, noseband tightness and extra (information, 6 July).
“On the center of the FEI’s challenge lies an unwavering dedication to horse welfare,” stated FEI secretary common Sabrina Ibáñez stated. “This 12 months, we’ve got been lucky to obtain insightful horse welfare-oriented proposals from the nationwide federations and stakeholders alike.”
Extra analysis is wanted sooner than the FEI will take a stance on whether or not it’s going to permit double bridles to be non-compulsory for global grand prix.
H&H has coated earlier discussions at the topic (information, 30 September and 15 October 2022). Now, the Dutch and Swedish federations have each proposed that riders must be allowed to make a choice to make use of a snaffle bridle at CDI3* and above. Each declare that it “does now not agree to the welfare of the pony” to stay double bridles obligatory if riders imagine it higher to compete a horse in a snaffle.
The FEI dressage technical committee has responded, declaring it has “the unanimous working out that using snaffle or double bridle is a technical (game) subject and now not a question of wellbeing/welfare”.
“We perceive the subject of social (media) belief, however from the result of the web survey that had been made to be had to this committee, shall we now not to find medical proof, nor unquestionable knowledge, that let us to succeed in a special conclusion at this second,” mentioned the committee.
“It’s time to acquire a multi-disciplinary workforce, which contains mavens from all stakeholders, to broaden find out about/analysis to grasp all execs and cons in regards to the proposed trade. As soon as this find out about/analysis is performed, we will be able to be in [a position] to have an educated, mindful and well-balanced opinion at the subject.”
H&H has contacted the FEI to invite for more info in this analysis.
In a separate proposal, the IDOC referred to as for removing for horses discovered with recent blood within the warm-up. The FEI veterinary division replied to state it “believes the present rule works nicely and doesn’t see any want for trade”. H&H has requested the FEI for extra main points in this clarification.
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