FEI Rollkur Roundtable Resolution: Aggressive force unacceptable, LDR still acceptable

by Fran Jurga | 9 February 2010 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com(following is the exact text of a press release received from the FEI today)

Following constructive debate at the FEI round-table conference at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne today (9 February), the consensus of the group was that any head and neck position achieved through aggressive force is not acceptable. The group redefined hyperflexion/Rollkur as flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable. 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. The FEI will establish a working group, headed by Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kemperman, to expand the current guidelines for stewards to facilitate the implementation of this policy. The group agreed that no changes are required to the current FEI Rules.

The FEI Management is currently studying a range of additional measures, including the use of closed circuit television for warm-up arenas at selected shows.

The group also emphasised that the main responsibility for the welfare of the horse rests with the rider.

The FEI President HRH Princess Haya accepted a petition of 41,000 signatories against Rollkur presented by Dr Gerd Heuschman.

The participants in the FEI round-table conference were:

HRH Princess Haya, FEI President

Alex McLin, FEI Secretary General

Margit Otto-Cr?pin, International Dressage Riders Club Representative

Linda Keenan, International Dressage Trainers Club Representative

Sjef Janssen, Dressage Representative

Frank Kemperman, Chairman, FEI Dressage Committee (by conference call)

Fran?ois Mathy, International Jumping Riders Club Representative

David Broome, Jumping Representative

Jonathan Chapman, Eventing Representative

Roly Owers, World Horse Welfare Representative

Tony Tyler, World Horse Welfare Representative

Ulf Helgstrand, President, Danish Equestrian Federation

John McEwen, Chairman, FEI Veterinary Committee

Dr Sue Dyson, Veterinary Representative

Dr Gerd Heuschman, Veterinary Representative

Prof. Ren? van Weeren, Veterinary Representative

Jacques van Daele, FEI Honorary Steward General Dressage

Graeme Cooke, FEI Veterinary Director

Trond Asmyr, FEI Director Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage

John Roche, FEI Director Jumping and Stewarding

Catrin Norinder, FEI Director Eventing

Carsten Couchouron, FEI Executive Director Commercial

Richard Johnson, FEI Communications Director

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