Long-awaited FEI ruling over rollkur

By Justine Thompson

General news

09 February 2010 16:15

The FEI has come to a consensus on the controversial issue of rollkur, following a conference in Switzerland today (Feb 9).

The international group who discussed the issue agreed that any head and neck position achieved through aggressive force was not acceptable.

The group redefined hyperflexion/rollkur as flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable.

However it said the technique known as Low, Deep and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable.

The group unanimously agreed that any form of aggressive riding must be sanctioned.

At the meeting, FEI President HRH Princess Haya accepted a petition of 41,000 signatories against rollkur presented by Dr Gerd Heuschman.

Now it will establish a working group headed by Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kemperman to expand on the current guidelines for stewards expected to implement the policy. There are to be no changes to the current FEI Rules.

Managers are also looking at possible additional measures, including the use of closed-circuit TV for warm-up arenas at selected shows.

Rollkur hit the headlines last year after an international dressage competitor was filmed at a warm-up with his horse’s head severely tucked in for long periods – the horse’s tongue was hanging out and blue.

The FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) is the international body governing equestrian sport. Participants at this conference included representatives from Great Britain, such as Jumping Representative David Broome and Roly Owers and Tony Tyler from World Horse Welfare.