UAE Withdraws Equestrian Suspension Appeal
May 26, 2015
The Emirates Equestrian Federation has withdrawn its appeal to the suspension handed down by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) following an investigation into endurance racing in the United Arab Emirates.
The news comes as the EEF initiates a review into national and international endurance racing in the UAE.
The FEI suspended the EEF over horse welfare and rule infringements in endurance events, meaning that UAE riders are not allowed to compete in any international events – including the Olympics.
However, they will be at least be allowed to compete under an FEI flag in non-endurance disciplines outside of the Emirates and presumably the Olympic flag at Rio 2016 should the suspension not be lifted by then.
Taleb Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, will meet with FEI officials in Lausanne this week to show that the body is making positive steps towards reconciliation.
In a statement, Al Muhairi said: “As the governing body of equestrian sports in the UAE, it is our goal to pursue excellence while promoting the growth of the sport and safeguarding the welfare of equine and human athletes. We recognise the best way to achieve this is to work closely with the FEI, the international governing authority, and as such have decided to withdraw our appeal against the suspension.
“The EEF has always sought to uphold the highest standards in horse and athlete welfare and integrity. The Endurance Committee will look to build further on those standards, working in collaboration with the FEI, and ensure that the FEI’s rules and regulations are applied in endurance racing across the UAE.”
There has been growing concern over the treatment of endurance horses in the UAE. The FEI earlier this year stepped in to remove two endurance events in UAE from the winter season.
Three horses were reported dead at the 74-mile Al Reef Cup in Abu Dhabi in February.
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